KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC), a major component in the 10-party coalition, has finalized the names of five leaders who would join the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda-led cabinet.
Although the NC has claimed a stake in eight ministries, it is probable that the party will receive seven ministries and one Minister of State.
Sources claimed that NC Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka and Dhanraj Gurung are most likely to become ministers.
Gurung represents the Shekhar Koirala faction.
Similarly, NC Spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, and central members NP Saud and Sita Gurung are also included in the list of ministers.
NC Vice President Khadka is likely to join the government leading his party. Even though Khadka has been insisting on the Ministry of Home Affairs, chances of him getting the Home Ministry are slim as Prime Minister Dahal is in favor of appointing the Home Minister from his party — the Maoist Center.
Meanwhile, though NC leader Dr. Mahat is in favor of leading the Ministry of Finance, sources claimed that it is most likely that he would be appointed as the Foreign Minister.