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'Cabinet expansion by Thursday evening'

Even as the parleys on portfolio division for new cabinet continue, leaders of the three-party coalition - CPN (Maoist), CPN (UML) and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) - have claimed that they are very close to ending the dispute.

Senior leader of the CPN (Maoist) Mohan Baidya said the new government would complete shape by Thursday evening.

Speaking at an interaction in the capital Wednesday, Baidya said the dispute among the three parties in the coalition regarding the ministerial portfolios "has been resolved".

He further mentioned that his party would reshuffle the responsibilities of its key leaders after once the list of the leaders to join the cabinet is finalised.

UML standing committee member Bharat Mohan Adhikari expressed hope that the cabinet would be expanded by Thursday since the parties have reached an understanding on ministries and the top leaders are all set to sign the draft of common minimum programme (CMP) very soon.

Adhikari further mentioned his party would forward the names of its representative to the government by Wednesday evening.

B. P. Yadav of MJF claimed his party chairman Upendra Yadav would take charge of the deputy prime minister and foreign minister. According to him Bijay Gachchhadar would be minister for water resources and Jay Prakash Gupta information and communication minister.

Speaking the occasion, Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat of Nepali Congress accused the Maoists of manipulating the state agencies to meet party's interests. He also warned of stronger protests against the Maoists attempt to
'demoralise' the Nepal Army which, he said, has begun with the decision of Maoists to deploy their People's Liberation Army for PM's security. nepalnews.com ia Aug 20 08