"Though the size of the cabinet has become a public concern, it is my sacrifice for concluding peace process and writing new constitution on time," Bhattarai said in an interview with Kantipur Television´s Fireside Monday evening. [break]
The prime minister said he was under compulsion to expand the cabinet as the present government draws support from various coalition partners. "Personally, even I don´t know many of the ministers in the present cabinet," said Bhattarai. He argued that a prime minister of coalition government is under compulsion to appoint ministers on the basis of the recommendation from coalition partners.
Acknowledging that his move to expand the cabinet has irked the people in the country, Bhattarai said that he is ready to make any compromise for the cause of peace and statute. The PM stressed that the seven point agreement reached among the political parties on November 1 will be crucial in concluding the twin task of completing the peace process and writing new constitution.
Meanwhile, in a separate context, the prime minister said that the government recommended the president to grant pardon to lawmaker Balkrishna Dhungel stating the government had no alternative legal way to settle the issue.
Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai said that he will settle the row over the government´s move to grant pardon to Maoist lawmaker Balkrishna Dhungel consulting various political parties.
The prime minister said this during his meeting with President Dr Ram Baran Yadav at the latter´s residence Sheetal Niwas Monday morning.
"I will hold discussions with political parties to settle this issue peacefully,"
Prime Minister´s Press Advisor Ramrijhan Yadav quoted Bhattarai as saying at the meeting with the president.
He also said that there is no need to create hype over the issue as the Supreme Court has already ordered the president and the government not to act on the government recommendation.
The prime minister also briefed the president about his participation in the 17th SAARC summit in Addu City of Maldives. Bhattarai said that his talks with various heads of states and heads of governments were fruitful.
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