KATHMANDU:  Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is making preparations to reappoint four former CPN (Maoist Center) lawmakers as ministers under Article 78 of the Constitution, according to Baluwatar sources.

According to the provision, they must secure membership to either HoR or National Assembly (NA) within six months if they are appointed as ministers under Article 78.

Earlier, they were appointed Ministers under Article 76 (9) of the constitution.

Lekh Raj Bhatta was the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Top Bahadur Rayamajhi the Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Gauri Shankar Chaudhary the Minister for Labour, Employment and Social  Security and Prabhu Shah the Minister for Urban Development in the Oli-led cabinet.

They have recently lost their posts after the Maoist Center took action against them.  The federal parliament secretariat officially relieved them of their posts following the action by the party.

Along with the cancellation of their membership to the parliament, they automatically lost the post of ministers as well.

Bhatta had been elected to the HoR from Kailali-4, Rayamajhi from Arghakhanchi, Chaudhary from Kilali-3 and Shah from Rautahat- 3.

They had defected to the UML from the Maoist Center.