NC, UML agree on ministry portfolios

Kathmandu, Feb. 24 – The government is likely to get full shape as an informal understanding was reached between the Nepali Congress and the CPN (UML) to allocate 10 ministries each to the two parties for the time being.

 

Discussions were held between the parties on Sunday after Prime Minister Sushil Koirala agreed to give the home ministry with deputy-prime minister portfolio to the CPN (UML).

 

Central member of the CPN (UML), Krishna Gopal Shrestha, said that both parties will get 10 ministries each for the time being on the basis of informal talks and discussions held till this morning.

 

Preparations were made to give the Defense, Finance, Information and Communications, Urban Development, Education, Local Development, Housing and Physical Infrastructure and Peace and Reconstruction, and Law portfolios to the Nepali Congress while the Home Ministry, Foreign, General Administration, Health and Population, Culture/Tourism, Forest and Soil Conservation, Youth and Sports, Agriculture and Cooperatives, Land Reform and Energy portfolios to the CPN (UML), according to Shrestha. 

 

Out of the 26 ministries, Prime Minister Koirala will retain the portfolio of the remaining five ministries himself now and will allocate them to other fringe parties on the basis of agreement.

 

The CPN (ML) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) are to join the government.

 

The Cabinet is likely to be expanded till this evening after final discussions are held on the draft prepared by the talks teams of both parties.

 

An informal meeting of office-bearers of the NC and of the standing committee of the UML is now taking place separately.

 

RSS