KATHMANDU: The government is preparing to expand the Cabinet to 15 members within a week, sources close to the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has been holding regular consultations to finalize the expansion, according to her chief advisor Ajaya Bhadra Khanal.
“The preparation is almost complete. We may finalize the expansion before Tihar, even if it means calling staff during holidays,” Khanal told Khabarhub. “We are waiting for the right time to announce all names together.”
A shortlist of potential candidates has already been prepared, and discussions are underway to finalize the appointments.
Prime Minister Karki is scheduled to hold talks with top leaders of seven major parties on Tuesday regarding the upcoming elections, which may delay the Cabinet expansion slightly.
According to sources, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal and Energy Minister Kulman Ghising have been tasked with coordinating the selection process alongside the Prime Minister.
Earlier, Prime Minister Karki had said she would limit her Cabinet to around 10–12 members. However, the plan has now been extended to 15, citing the need to speed up administrative work and ensure wider representation.
“The Cabinet will likely have around 15 members, not more,” a source said. “Discussions are ongoing, and no names have been finalized yet.”
Khanal said the new Cabinet will be inclusive, with representation from the Gen-Z group and other sections.
“This government was formed with the support of Gen-Z. We are not sidelining them,” he said. “Qualified and experienced individuals will be included in the Cabinet.”
Currently, the Cabinet has eight members, including the Prime Minister, with no representatives from the Gen-Z generation.
The Gen-Z movement in late August had led to the fall of the previous Congress-UML coalition government.
According to sources, internal disputes within the Gen-Z faction have delayed the Cabinet expansion.
“Whenever a name is finalized, disagreement emerges from within the group,” a source said. “Once they finalize their representatives, the process will move ahead quickly.”
Prime Minister Karki is reportedly concerned that delays in completing the Cabinet are affecting the government’s performance.
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