KATHMANDU: The ruling coalition is making preparations to expand the cabinet today.

The CPN (Maoist Center) has already finalized the list of ministers while Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) is holding a meeting to select the names to participate in the government since early morning.

Three ministers and one state minister selected by the Maoist Center are taking oath of office and secrecy today itself, said Standing Committee Member Ganesh Shahi.

Similarly, Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the cabinet will be expanded today itself.

JSP Chairman Upendra Yadav and leaders Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Ashok Rai are also holding a meeting since early morning today to finalize the name of ministers.

The party has entrusted Yadav, Bhattarai and Rai to select the names for the cabinet. Ruling coalition leaders have said that the cabinet will be expanded by today evening.

The NC has not yet finalized the name of ministers. The Poudel faction had demanded three ministries in an office-bearers meeting held at Bluwatar yesterday. The meeting, however, did not strike a deal after Prime Minister Deuba denied giving three ministries.

The NC is also holding a meeting to strike an agreement on power sharing among the factions of the party. Currently, there are three ministers and one state minister from the establishment side of the NC.

According to the allocation of ministerial portfolios, NC will have a total of seven ministries, CPN (Maoist Center) will have six and CPN (Unified Socialist) and JSP will have four ministries each.

The cabinet has not got a full shape since NC President Deuba took charge as the Prime Minister on July 13.