Nepal's cabinet to be expanded today

Kathmandu, Aug 31 (ANI): Nepal's cabinet is expected to be expanded today.

During his meeting with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unity Centre) General Secretary Narayan Kaji Shrestha 'Prakash' at Baluwatar on Saturday, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda said "technical problems" that hampered the cabinet formation had been resolved and that a full-fledged cabinet would be in place on Sunday, Nepalnews.com reported.

Prachanda also expressed confidence that minor allies like Janamorcha Nepal and CPN (Marxist Leninist) would join the new government on Sunday itself.

The three-party alliance, comprising the CPN-Maoist, the CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist and the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), is likely to take a decision on whether to appoint deputy prime ministers.

UML leader Bam Dev Gautam will hold the second position in the government, while Finance Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai and Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav will be the deputy prime ministers.

New ministers were to be inducted on Friday, but the process was put on hold with the Maoists not being able to name their remaining ministers. (ANI)