UCPN (M) retains Shrestha, Bogati in unity govt; Baidya faction skips meeting

Narayan Kaji Shrestha

The UCPN (Maoist) Friday decided to continue party's vice chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha and secretary Post Bahadur Bogati in the national unity government to be formed in a day or two.

Post Bahadur Bogati

Shrestha and Bogati have been named for their previous portfolios - Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister and Energy Minister -respectively.

An informal meeting of the party's office-bearers held at chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's Lazimpat residence decided to continue the two in the government. According to party spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma, other ministers would be picked after consultation with the Mohan Baidya faction.

However, the leaders of the hardliner Baidya faction did not participate in the meeting.

According to sources, while signing the five-point deal to form the unity government late Thursday night, the top leaders of the parties decided to install a 'smaller' cabinet with a maximum of 21 ministers. As per the understanding, the Maoists will get five berths including the Prime Minister while the Nepali Congress, UML, Madhesi Front and fringe parties will get four portfolios each. nepalnews.com