Kathmandu, February 25
Three influential CPN-Maoist Centre leaders want to take charge of the Ministry for Home Affairs. Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal can only nominate one person to the post and he doesn’t want to decide in haste.
According to party sources, this has delayed the expansion of Prime Minister KP Oli’s Cabinet. Sources also say that the Maoist Centre, an ally in the ruling coalition, is likely to make the difficult choice later on Sunday.
The Maoist party has assigned Prachanda, Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Thapa, who is to lead the party in government, to choose its ministers. The three Maoist leaders are: Ram Bahadur Thapa, Barsa Man Pun and Janardan Sharma. While Prachanda’s choice for the post is Barsa Man Pun, the party ranks is in favour of Thapa. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Oli has hinted that it would be easier for him to work with Sharma as his Home Minister.
Voices of discontent have also been heard in the ruling UML party, where various leaders have staked their claim to become ministers in the new Cabinet. However, accomplishing the task looks easier for Oli as he has been authorised to pick his ministers from the party.
