Nepalnews.com, news from Nepal as it happens

Alliance partners busy in efforts to finalise cabinet composition

The three major alliance partners – Maoists, Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) – are busy in efforts to give final touches to the composition of the cabinet.

The meeting of the central secretariat of the Maoists is expected to pick the party's candidates to head the various cabinet portfolios in its bag. The meeting is taking place, Sunday, according to leader Dev Gurung.

The UML has formed a three-member taskforce to pick its leader to head the party in the cabinet and other members of the cabinet. The taskforce including general secretary Jhalnath Khanal, and leaders Iswor Pokharel and Bharat Mohan Adhikary will submit its recommendation to standing committee for approval. Names of three UML leaders – Amrit Bohora, Bishnu Poudel and Bamdev Gautam – are being discussed as possible leader of UML team in the new cabinet.

The MJF is also holding the meeting of its central committee to decide on its ministers.

After the three parties conclude their internal meetings, the top leaders will take a final decision.

The common minimum programme of the government, which has been finalised by taskforce of the three parties, will also be signed by top leaders and made public.

The CMP gives emphasis on nationalism, national interest, implementation of federal republic, among others. Likewise, it also has a provision stating that the management of Maoist army will be completed within three to six months. It also promises to form various proposed commissions such as Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Commission on Disappeared and so on. nepalnews.com sd Aug 17 08