As a last option to woo the Madhes-based political parties, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal proposed an exchange of two ministries -- Ministry of General Administration and Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction which have been allocated to CPN-UML -- for other ministries demanded by the Madhesi political parties. [break]
The dispute was "reduced significantly" after the prime minister´s proposal, but this failed to satisfy the disgruntled Madhesi leaders, according to one leader of the Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (MPRF) present at the meeting.
The MPRF-faction led by Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar is satisfied with the allocation of four ministries -- physical planning and works, education, tourism and civil aviation, and women, children and social welfare -- to MPRF.
But Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) and Sadbhavana Party (SP) continue to object to the allocation. TMDP has been demanding three portfolios while the prime minister has offered the party two ministries and to split one ministry into two. But, TMDP insisted on three separate ministries along with three state ministers for itself.
"We are demanding three ministries without any split ministry," said Ram Kumar Sharma of TMDP.
SP has been demanding the ministry of water resources, which is already allocated to the NC, or any other key ministry.
The prime minister tried to assure the SP by promising to give it preference in political appointments to be made by the government later.
TMDP and SP insisted on making a review of the portfolios shared by CPN-UML and NC. But, the prime minister categorically ruled out any further revision in portfolios allocated to CPN-UML and the NC.
"The options presented by the prime ministers at the five-party meeting (today) are the last and this is the maximum flexibility possible on his part," said a UML leader present at the meeting. Those who accept the proposal will join the government on Wednesday or else will be dealt with later, the leader said. "But the cabinet expansion will take place tomorrow."
"We are in discussions among the three parties. After taking a common stance over sharing of portfolios among us, top Madhesi leaders will meet the prime minister and most probably resolve the matter tomorrow (Wednesday) morning," the MPRF leader said.
The other option suggested by the prime minister was increasing the number of state ministers for the Madhes-based parties.
The NC and UML will not compromise on the key ministries including home, defense, finance, ministry of water resources and local development, according to a UML leader.
The Madhesi parties had earlier strongly objected to the prime minister reaching a power-sharing deal with NC without consulting the three Madhes-based political parties.
The prime minister had argued that NC and UML reached their agreement only after the Madhesi parties told the main parties to reach such an agreement first.
thira@myrepublica.com
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