Ruling coalition initiating formal discussions on cabinet expansion from today

KATHMANDU: Top leaders of the ruling coalition are starting a formal discussion on the cabinet expansion from today, Baluwatar sources have said.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aliaas Prachanda, and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal on Sunday morning had decided to initiate discussions on the cabinet discussion starting today.

Prachanda and Madhav Nepal had reached Baluwatar to meet PM Deuba on Sunday morning.

Nepali Congress leader Purna Bahadur Khadka said that yesterday’s meeting was informal since Janata Samajwadi Party Chairman Upendra Yadav was out for special reasons.

“Coalition leaders will initiate formal discussions from Monday on cabinet expansion,” Khadka said.

They had also held discussions on the cabinet expansion at Baluwatar on Sunday evening. During a meeting they discussed ways to complete the government, sources said.

It has been almost 50 days but Prime Minister Deuba has not been able to give a full shape to the cabinet expansion. He had taken charge as the PM on July 13.

PM Deuba has appointed four ministers — two from the CPN-Maoist Center and two from his own party NC.