Koshi Chief Minister preparing to expand cabinet

ITAHARI: Preparations are underway to expand the Koshi Province cabinet.

Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki plans to expand his cabinet later on Thursday, according to CPN-UML sources in the Koshi Province Assembly, as reported by Himal Press.

Karki was sworn in as the province’s chief minister on May 10. On the same day, he inducted Ram Bahadur Rana Magar of UML and Ganesh Upreti of the coalition partner CPN (Maoist Center) into his cabinet.

UML sources say Chief Minister Karki has forged an understanding to share ministerial portfolios among coalition partners. It has been agreed that UML will keep five ministries, while the Maoist Center will get three, including the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development.

The Maoist Center is likely to appoint leaders who were in the cabinet of outgoing chief minister Kedar Karki in the new government.

Karki was appointed Chief Minister as per Article 168(5) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015. Outgoing Chief Minister Kedar Karki has challenged the new government formation in the apex court. A full bench of the apex court will convene next week.