Gajurel, Shrestha both want Finance Ministry

KATHMANDU, Sept 1: Newly-elected Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai could not expand his cabinet on Wednesday also due to factional disputes in his party over the plum ministries and also differences with the coalition partner, United Democratic Madhes Front (UMDF).



According to sources, party Vice-chairman Narayankaji Shrestha and Secretary CP Gajurel have staked claim to a combined post of deputy prime minister and finance minister. “There are multiple complications in settling the issue in the party as each faction has its own choice of plum ministries,” said a senior Maoist leader.[break]



Party insiders say Gajurel, who is from the party hard-line faction, has said he wants charge of the finance ministry, not the foreign ministry the party establishment has offered him.



Similarly, Shrestha has argued that he wants a powerful ministry at his disposal as he is becoming deputy prime minister. “As the home ministry which he had charge of during the last cabinet has already been taken by another party, he wants the powerful finance ministry,” said a party leader.



Dev Gurung, who had also staked claim to the home ministry, has opted out of the race and thrown his weight behind Gajurel.



Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal is holding consultations with the leaders of all the factions to settle the issue. “One solution could be that Shrestha becomes deputy prime minister and foreign minister and Gajurel takes charge of the finance ministry without becoming deputy prime minister,” said the leader.



Similarly, there have been complications in the appointment of deputy prime ministers. Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) has threatened to stay out of the government if MPRF-Republican President JP Gupta is given the post of deputy prime minister. The party has argued that Hridayesh Tripathi is senior to JP Gupta and so Tripathi should also be given that post.



Similarly, MPRF-Nepal has demanded the post of deputy prime minister for party Chairman Upendra Yadav, who wants to be senior to Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar in the cabinet hierarchy.



There is a question why the party would join the government without getting that position. But it is still likely that the party may send other leaders if it gets some plum ministries.

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