UML SC meet entrusts PM Oli to pick remaining ministers

KATHMANDU, Nov 3: The Standing Committee meeting of major ruling party CPN-UML has entrusted party chairperson and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli with the responsibility to pick remaining ministers to the new government on behalf of the party.

The party Standing Committee meeting concluded at the party Central Office Dhumbarahi this night handed the responsibility of picking new ministers being based on the competency of possible candidates and giving priority to ethnic groups, women and dalits to PM Oli.

PM Oli is likely to expand his cabinet on Wednesday after holding consultations with other party leaders if necessary, according to party central office secretary Krishna Gopal Shrestha. It was agreed to allocate important ministers like finance, defense and information and communications to the major ruling party UML while forming the incumbent government.
The Standing Committee has authorized the Chairman to make the selection of the ministers to represent the party in the government. The authorization was made in view that the Chairman will not repeat the past mistakes in appointing and calling back ministers but on the basis of wisdom and justice remaining loyal to the party and consolidate the internal unity in the party. The UML will have eight ministerial portfolios in its share, it is learnt.
The UML has already appointed Agni Kharel as the Law Minister and Satya Narayan Mandal as a Minister without portfolio. The government is yet to appoint Finance Minister while UML and Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal have claimed the Local Development Ministry.
Addressing the meeting, PM and UML Chair Oli expressed determination to fight to defend the country and people's dignity in face of the ongoing agitation launched Madhes-centric parties who are dissatisfied with the constitution, the Indian government's obstruction at the border and the fuel scarcity.

On the occasion, the UML Chairperson and Prime Minister pledged that the government would move ahead in a way to keep the esteem of Nepali high. He further apprised the meeting that the government would bring the issue of Indian unannounced blockade to international arena, mobilize all forces of the party to open the border points, keep the door open to bring in fuel from other countries and not to cut off power during Deepawali and Chhath festival, said Shrestha.
The meeting had seconded Prime Minister's Oli idea. RSS