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Cabinet expansion still uncertain

Cabinet expansion and the allocation of portfolios to the ministers inducted almost two weeks ago is still uncertain as the coalition leader CPN (UML) failed to convince the Madhes based parties on the distribution of ministerial berths and portfolios.

Leaders of the five coalition partners parties-UML, Nepali Congress, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum led by Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar, Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) and Nepal Sadhawana Party (NSP), met on Tuesday too. They failed to reach any agreement as the Madhes based parties did not give up their claim for key ministries and more berths in the cabinet.

However, leaders of the Madhes based parties including Gachchhadar have said today’s discussion was positive. Top leaders of all five parties will meet again Wednesday.

Earlier on Monday, meeting of the five parties had ended inconclusively after UML and MJF leader Gachchhadar both did not given up their claim for home ministry and other Madhes based parties were adamant on their stance for more ministerial berths than offered by the NC and UML. The meeting that started at 12 noon Monday prolonged for eight-hours in a bid to reach conclusion.

MJF has demanded for five berths in the cabinet, TMLP has demanded for three and NSP has demanded for one key ministry in the cabinet. NC and UML have offered four cabinet ministries to MJF, two berths to TMLP and one to NSP.

The parties have agreed to split Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, a bone of contention in the new cabinet, into Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation. Earlier, they had decided to split Ministry of Water Resources into two after both the UML and NC did not give up their claim on it.

The latest controversy started after NC and UML reached a power sharing pact on Sunday without consulting the Madhes based parties. Leaders of the Madhes based parties objected the power sharing pact saying the two parties had made the decision without consulting them and kept key ministries for themselves.

The Madhes based parties have demanded for either a reduction in the size of the cabinet or an increased share to them with some key ministries.

Gachchhadar as well as leaders of other Madhes based parties Tarai Madhesh Loktantrik Party (TMLP) and Nepal Sadhawana Party- Aandandidevi (NSP-A) have said they would rather stay out of the government if they are not given some key ministries.

On Monday, the government had taken appointment at the President’s office hoping to be able to expand the cabinet. Staff at the President’s office had waited waiting till late evening Monday for a possible swearing in ceremony. nepalnews.com Jun 16 09