KATHMANDU, Sept 22: The newly-appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Narayan Khadka has been sworn in amidst a special function at the Office of President.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office and secrecy to Khadka as the new foreign minister of the country. The appointment comes in the wake of preparations being made by the government to send a Nepali delegation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba held consultations with the top leaders of the ruling parties to appoint a minister from the Nepali Congress. Although Janata Samajbadi Party Chairman Upendra Yadav had earlier staked his claim to the post, sources said he gave in to the demand of the prime minister.

Meanwhile, leaders close to Ram Chandra Paudel in the NC have taken strong exception to the appointment of Khadka as a new minister from the party. They have alleged that Prime Minister Deuba failed to hold consultations within the party before appointing Dr Khadka to the post of a minister.

Deuba has already appointed Bal Krishna Krishna Khand, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki and Umesh Shestha as ministers in his cabinet. All the four ministers appointed from the NC so far are considered close to Deuba.

The Paudel-led faction has called a meeting this afternoon to discuss President Deuba's unilateral move to induct new ministers in the cabinet. The Paudel-led faction has apprehension that Deuba would not give proportionate share of the ministerial portfolios to their faction in the party.

 
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