Kathmandu, February 23
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s CPN-UML has decided to take initiatives to form the government with a two-thirds majority support.
While the UML and the CPN-Maoist Centre fall quite short to reach the mark, the party has authorised Oli and top leaders to hold talks with Madhesh-centric parties; namely: Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal.
Therefore, the Cabinet expansion will be quite delayed, according to UML Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai.
Another UML leader says the expansion will take place only next week.
Meanwhile, the party’s Standing Committee meeting held today authorised Oli to pick ministers from the party in consultation with other leaders.
(Updated at 1:50 pm)
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UML Standing Committee selecting ministers; Cabinet expansion likely today
Kathmandu, February 23
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s CPN-UML party is holding a meeting of its powerful Standing Committee to finalise the list of leaders to send to the Cabinet as ministers.
On Thursday, the UML has forged an understanding with the coalition partner CPN-Maoist Centre, according to which the UML will get 10 ministries in the government.
Oli is planning to expand his Cabinet and administer the oath of office and secrecy to them today itself if both the parties finalise the names by the early afternoon.
However, both the parties are facing a tough time to finalise the lists as there are more aspirants than the number of available positions.
Oli, who took charge as the Prime Minister on February 14, has inducted two leaders of own party only so far as the ministers.
