Kathmandu, February 21
The CPN-Maoist Centre has decided to join the CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli-led government under the leadership of the party’s third-in-command Ram Bahadur Thapa,
Thapa will become the second or third man in Oli Cabinet as the Deputy Prime Minister. He will lead a ‘powerful’ portfolio.
A Maoist Centre source says Thapa has demanded that he be given the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has told him that the portfolio will be finalised after a discussion with the UML.
There are two other leaders claiming the position in the party–Janardan Sharma and Shakti Bahadur Basnet.
Earlier, he was projected as the left alliance’s candidate for National Assembly Chairperson. However, he is more interested in the government than leading the Upper House, the source claims.
It is expected that Oli will give the full shape to his Cabinet today.
