MAKWANPUR: Chief Minister of Bagmati Pradesh Asta Laxmi Shakya is making preparations to expand the cabinet today.

Shakya, who became the Chief Minister on August 18, had earlier appointed two ministers. Of them, one has joined the newly formed CPN (Unified Socialist) led by Madhav Nepal.

She is expanding the cabinet including those who stuck to the CPN-UML, without defecting to the Unified Socialist.

According to sources, she will appoint five ministers and four state ministers.

Pradip Katuwal of Sindhuli, Shanti Prasad Poudel of Ramechhap, Chandra Lama of Kavre, Ajay Kanti of Kathmandu, Bijay Subedi of Chitwan, Rachana Khadka of Dolakha, Juneli Maya Shrestha of Makwanpur, Saraswati Wati of Bhaktapur and Badri Mainali of Nuwakot likely to be included in the new cabinet.

The new ministers will be sworn in today. Although she became the Chief Minister on the basis of a single majority of the CPN-UML, she has lost the majority following the split of the UML.

Shakya will have to take a vote of confidence from the Province Assembly within a month as per the Constitution.