Three more ministers inducted in Koshi Province cabinet

ITAHARI: Koshi Province Chief Minister Uddhab Thapa has inducted three new ministers into his cabinet.

Province Chief Parshuram Khapung administered the oath of office and secrecy to Jeevan Acharya and Rajendra Karki of CPN (Maoist Center) and Ram Kumar Khatri of Nepali Congress on Sunday. With this expansion, the number of members in Koshi Province cabinet has reached six.

After assuming office on Friday, Thapa appointed Pradeep Sunuar of NC and Kamal Jabegu of CPN (Unified Socialist) as ministers.

While Acharya, who is the son-in-law of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has been appointed as the Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning, the other ministers haven’t been assigned portfolios yet.

Thapa was appointed on Thursday with the support of 47 members, including Speaker Baburam Gautam, of the Koshi Province Assembly.

The CPN-UML has filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court, challenging the formation of the government, arguing that the Speaker’s support cannot be counted in government formation.