However, the parties have agreed to settle the issue by Wednesday morning and to administer oath of office to the ministers on Wednesday afternoon, according to newly-appointed minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat of Nepali Congress. [break]
"Both the CPN-UML and Madhes-based parties have shown some flexibility on their respective stance on cabinet portfolios and we hope to have some agreement on cabinet by tomorrow," Dr Mahat told myrepublica.com.
The Madhes-based parties -- Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar-led faction of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum, Tarai Madhes Democratic Party and Sadbhavana Party -- have complained about lack of "key" ministries, including Home, Water Resources, Health, Education, and Local Development for them. The CPN-UML and the NC which have pocketed all these ministries between them besides Finance, Foreign, and Defense have tried to persuade the three coalition partners to accept the remaining ministries.
Gachchhadar who is deputy prime minister and minister for Physical Planning and Works has demanded Home Ministry for himself and threatened to withdraw his party´s support to the government if his demand is not fulfilled.
This development comes despite swearing-in ceremony of new ministers scheduled at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Related story
Distribution of ministerial berths among ruling coalition decid...
-1778465739.webp)
