Ten new ministers, nine from the UCPN (Maoist) and one from the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) were sworn in Monday evening.

Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal administered them oath in a ceremony organised at the President's Office, Shital Niwas, in the presence of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav.

PM Khanal inducted the new faces despite strict direction from his own party CPN (UML) and warning from the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) against cabinet reshuffle.

He went to Shital Niwas directly from the standing committee meeting of the UML. Majority of the UML standing committee members are known to have suggested him not to induct the new ministers, but he was adamant, saying that reshuffling the cabinet was his prerogative.

Those sworn in today are Narayan Kaji Shrestha, who leads the new Maoist team in the cabinet as Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Post Bahadur Bogati as Minister for Information and Communication, Pampha Bhusal as Minister for Peace and Reconciliation, Lokendra Bista Magar as Health Minister, Hisila Yami as Minister for Land Reform, Mahendra Yadav as Minister for Industries, Jayapuri Gharti Magar as Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare and Onsari Gharti as Minister for Youth and Sports.

Similarly, Lekh Raj Bhatta, who the Maoists had earlier recommended for Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, was sworn in as Minister for Science and Technology. Likewise, MJF central member Bijay Kumar Yadav was sworn in as Minister for Commerce and Supplies.

Maoist leaders Baburam Bhattarai and Mohan Baidya were also present at the swearing in ceremony.

PM Khanal became ready to induct the new faces in his cabinet after the UCPN (Maoist) sent a letter stating that it had rolled back its decision to recall its ministers from the cabinet, PM's press advisor Surya Thapa told Nepalnews.

The nine other names the Maoists had recommended for the post of state ministers were not sworn in today. nepalnews.com