BIRATNAGAR, Sept 13: The Nepali Congress (NC) has officially joined the Koshi Province Government with three ministers and one state minister from the party taking the oath of office today.

The NC team, led by Bhupendra Rai, who has been appointed the Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development, includes Bhumi Rajbanshi, who has taken on the role of State Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development. Both are from the Krishna Prasad Sitaula faction of the NC.

Similarly, Khagen Singh Hangam has been appointed as the Minister for Industry, Agriculture, and Cooperatives, while Sadananda Mandal has taken on the role of Minister for Tourism, Forests, and Environment. Hangam is aligned with NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba's faction, whereas Mandal is known to be close to Gyanendra Karki within the establishment faction.

The NC had initially decided to join the government on July 27 but the process was delayed due to the insistence of two ministers from the rival Shekhar Koirala faction. Then, the Koirala faction had demanded two ministries, but the establishment faction offered one minister and one state minister. However, today the party joined the government without the Shekhar Koirala faction.

Nevertheless, NC leaders have indicated that an additional minister and state minister from the party will join the government in the coming days.

 
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