NC leader Saud to be sworn in as foreign minister today

Kathmandu: Prime minister Puspa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ is set to expand the Council of Ministers for eighth time today.

Following the decision by main ruling partner Nepali Congress to recommend NP Saud to the post of Foreign Minister, Dahal has prepared to induct him to the cabinet.

Dahal is going to hold talks with President Ram Chandra Poudel Sunday morning and inform the latter about the appointment of Saud as the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

According to the source, Saud will be sworn in as the Foreign Minister at 3pm today at Shital Niwas, the office of the president.

The Dahal-led cabinet is being expanded today for the eighth time. The source close to Dahal said that the appointment of Saud as Foreign Minister is a hasty move to make arrangements for planned visit of prime minister to India.

As per the power-sharing deal between ruling parties, Nepal Congress (NC) has got 8 ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Earlier during the previous cabinet expansion on March 31, Nepali Congress was to send Saud to the cabinet as Foreign minister. But the intraparty dispute halted the preparation and NC president Sher Bahadur Deuwa sent only 4 ministers to the cabinet.

NC is yet to recommend the leaders for remaining 3 ministries, including one state minister.