Is PM Dahal expanding cabinet today?

KATHMANDU: If everything goes according to the plan, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda is expanding the cabinet by today evening.

A meeting of the 10-party ruling coalition held on Wednesday decided to expand the cabinet by Thursday evening.

The meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Baluwatar on Wednesday afternoon has “agreed” on sharing of ministries, sources claimed.

Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) leader Rajendra Shrestha, who attended the meeting said, that the cabinet will be expanded by today evening.

“The Council of Ministers will be expanded by today evening,” he said.

According to him, nine political parties will participate in the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda-led cabinet.

The Rastriya Janamorcha, however, will not join the cabinet.

The parties will submit the names of ministers to Prime Minister Dahal on Thursday itself.

According to sources, Nepali Congress will get 8 ministries, the Maoist Center 5, JSP and Unified Socialist Party 2 each and other parties will get one ministry each.