PM Prachanda, UML Chair Oli discuss Cabinet expansion

Kathmandu, Jan 12: Prime Minister and Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and UML's Chairman KP Sharma Oli held a discussion at PM's residence, Baluwatar on Cabinet expansion.

During the meeting held on Thursday evening, the two leaders discussed contemporary politics including the power sharing in the federal and province governments and elections of Speaker, Deputy Speaker and President, according to PM's secretariat.

All seven provinces have got new governments. However, the federal and provincial governments are yet to be given full shape. 

On Tuesday, PM Prachanda had got more than two-thirds of trust votes in the House of Representatives- 268 out of 270 lawmakers present in the House. 

Maoist Centre Chairman Prachanda was appointed the Prime Minister on December 25. After getting the vote of trust, PM Prachanda has intensified discussion for the expansion of Cabinet.

On the very day Prachanda was sworn-in, UML's Bishnu Poudel was also administered the oath of office and secretary as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, while Maoist Centre's Narayan Kaji Shrestha as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructures and Transport, and Chairman of Rastriya Swatantra Party, Rabi Lamichhane as Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. Others to take oath as Ministers without Portfolio were Rajendra Rai, Jwala Kumari Saha, and Damodar Bhandari. 

The top leaders dwelt on finalizing the ministries for those without portfolio and sharing of 17 other ministries. The ruling coalition will hold meeting after two leaders' meet. (RSS)