KATHMANDU, Oct 11: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is going to dismiss four ministers representing the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) which left the ruling coalition a few days ago. PM Deuba is ready to dismiss the ministers of the party and if that is not possible, he will retain them as ministers without portfolios by Wednesday.

PM Deuba has already instructed the Chief Secretary to check the legal process for this. "The Prime Minister has instructed the Chief Secretary to immediately consult with lawyers, the Attorney General's Office and the Election Commission," a source in the Prime Minister's Office told Republica. According to the source, the Prime Minister is eager to wrap up this matter by Wednesday.

"If possible PM Deuba is set to dismiss the ministers from JSP. However, if the Election Commission says that they cannot be dismissed, the prime minister is prepared to retain them as ministers without portfolios," the source said. To discuss this matter, Prime Minister Deuba is having a discussion with the leaders of the ruling coalition on Tuesday afternoon.

Among the ministers who joined the government from JSP are Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister Rajendra Shrestha, Forest and Environment Minister Pradeep Yadav, Physical Infrastructure Minister Mohammad Istiyak Rai and Agriculture and Livestock Minister Mrigendra Kumar Singh. These ministers are trying to stay in the government even though their party has left the ruling coalition.

According to the code of conduct of the Election Commission, even if these ministers are removed, the chances of the prime minister being able to appoint new ministers is very low. The commission states that new appointments in the Cabinet will violate the election code of conduct.

 
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