Dahal recalling Modi, inducting Anitadevi Sah of Janamat into his cabinet

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is strengthening his cabinet by inducting Anitadevi Sah from the Janamat Party on Sunday.

The Janamat Party had withdrawn from Dahal’s cabinet four months ago, expressing dissatisfaction over the allocation of ministerial portfolios.

“Prime Minister Dahal is preparing to strengthen his cabinet by including the Janamat Party. Given that the current cabinet is composed of 25 ministers, the incoming minister will take the place of Aman Lal Modi, the Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration,” revealed a source within the Prime Minister’s secretariat.

Due to the constitutional limit of 25 ministers, Dahal cannot expand the cabinet without first removing existing members.

The Janamat Party has already recommended Sah for a ministerial role.

The CPN (Maoist Center) holds five ministries – home affairs; communication and information technology; energy, water resources, and irrigation; federal affairs and general administration; as well as culture, tourism, and civil aviation – in the coalition government.

Maoist Center sources say the party contemplated the removal of either Modi or Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati. Ultimately, Dahal opted to replace Modi, as removing Kirati, who is receiving acclaim for his accomplishments, could potentially convey a negative message.