Unified Marxist Leninist to join Maoist-led government

Kathmandu, Aug 29 (ANI): Nepal's Prime Minister Prachanda has agreed to give second place to UML senior leader Bam Dev Gautam in cabinet hierarchy.

A meeting between Prachanda and UML General Secretary Jhala Nath Khanal on Thursday arrived at the understanding.

After the meeting, Khanal said, "The protocol issue has been resolved. Gautam will be in the second position."

He further denied the reports about differences within the party over the nominees to be participating in the government. The party will now secure six ministries as per the earlier power sharing deal.

The UML has decided to entrust the Ministry of Water Resources to Bishnu Poudel, the Local Development Ministry to Ram Chandra Jha and the Ministry for Forest and Soil Conservation to Kiran Gurung, while Asta Laxmi Shakya and Gopal Shakya will be in charge of the Ministry of Industry Commerce and Supplies and the Ministry of Youth and Sports respectively.

Earlier, the UML had announced not to join the government after the Maoists placed its senior leader and Minister for Finance Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai at the second hierarchal position in the cabinet, Nepalnews reported. (ANI)