KATHMANDU: The ruling Nepali Congress (NC) and Maoist Center are on the brink of reaching an agreement to reshuffle the cabinet.

If an NC source is to be believed, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba “agreed” to reshuffle the cabinet.

The source disclosed that a consensus has been reached to reshuffle the cabinet by appointing new faces, probably by next week.

It has been learned that Prime Minister Dahal has sought names from the Nepali Congress and other parties.

Preparations are underway for a cabinet reshuffle, the source said, adding that the leaders are closer to a consensus to reshuffle the cabinet by next week.

It should be noted that Prime Minister Dahal is scheduled to address Parliament on March 4, and his decision to reshuffle the cabinet could precede this date if the situation remains unchanged, the source claimed.

NC President Deuba has assured PM Dahal that NC would not an obstacle in cabinet reshuffle.

According to the source, the Maoist Center is set to assume control of the Ministry of Finance, while the Nepali Congress is poised to take charge of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Efforts are underway within the Nepali Congress to prevent any conflict within the ruling alliance.

The leaders are engaged in “serious discussions” to avert any unfortunate circumstances within the ruling alliance, according to the source.

It should also be noted that the Chairperson of the Unified Socialist Party, Madhav Kumar Nepal, on Thursday said that there was no problem in the current ruling alliance.

Stating that the ruling alliance stands on a strong foundation, he said that problems were common in an alliance with many political parties.

He added that solutions to those problems, if any, will be sought through dialogue over it

Leader Nepal also pledged to move ahead by resolving the rifts seen in the alliance.