NC-UML nears consensus on ministry allocation

KATHMANDU: Major political parties, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, have reached a tentative agreement on ministry allocation.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli is expected to expand the cabinet shortly after President Ram Chandra Paudel appoints him as the Prime Minister.

Following the Prime Minister’s swearing-in, newly-appointed ministers are scheduled to take their oaths.

According to Article 76 (2) of the Constitution, UML Chairman Oli and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba have, so far, settled on sharing five ministries each between their parties.

A UML leader stated that ministries would be divided based on the number of MPs from each party, proposing that one minister equals approximately 9/10 MPs.

Under this arrangement, Nepali Congress is slated to receive 9 ministries, including Home Affairs, while UML will have 8 ministries, including Finance.

The ministries to be held by UML include Finance, Defence, Education, Communication, and Industry, Commerce, and Supplies.

Nepali Congress will manage Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Tourism, Health, and Agriculture ministries.

The allocation of the ministries of Physical Planning and Energy remains undecided.

NC President Deuba is preparing to nominate ministers from Nepali Congress, likely including Prakash Man Singh as Deputy Prime Minister.

The assignment of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Planning is under discussion, with the possibility of Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.

Ramesh Lekhak, likely to become Home Minister, and Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, poised to be Foreign Minister, highlight the NC’s ministerial choices.

UML plans to appoint its Vice Chairman Bishnu Paudel as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

Yogesh Bhattarai is expected to take the helm at the Ministry of Information and Communication, while Prithvi Subba Gurung is a probable ministerial candidate.

Further names from both parties are under consideration, with Nepali Congress focusing on merit and contribution to ensure inclusivity and regional balance.