PM Dahal meets President, cabinet expansion likely today

Kathmandu: Prime minister and chairman of CPN (Moist Center) Puspa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has prepared to expand the council of ministers today.

Dahal has also met and held talks with president Ramchandra Poudel this morning. After meeting with Poudel, Dahal is reportedly set to expand cabinet. If coalition partners provide the lists of the would-be ministers, they will be sworn in today.

Over the past week, the top leaders of ruling coalition have met several times. Despite several rounds of meeting between coalition partners for days, leaders have failed to reach the final deal on cabinet expansion. Amid the disagreement between the ruling parties, prime minister has been unable to expand his cabinet.

However, the ruling parties have tentatively reached an agreement on the numbers of ministerial portfolios.

As per the agreement, the largest coalition partner Nepali Congress will get eight ministries while CPN-Maoist will be given five. Whereas Janata Samajwadi Party-Nepal and CPN (Unified Socialist) will get two ministries each. Janamat Party, Nagarik Unmukti Party, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party-Nepal and Aam Janata Party will lead one ministry each. However, Rastriya Janamorcha has decided not to join the government.