Nepal tieup agrees on portfolios

By Shirish B. Pradhan

Kathmandu

Aug. 21: Nepal's three major parties on Thursday agreed on the crucial issue of portfolio distribution in a Maoist-led ministry, brightening chances of formation of the new Cabinet on Friday after four months of political deadlock.

As per the agreement, Maoists will keep nine ministries, while main coalition partners CPN(UML) and Madhesi People's Rights Forum will get six and four berths respectively, party sources said. The new Cabinet is expected only on Friday as the parties are yet to finalise the names of their ministers.

Under Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda", there will be three deputy prime ministers from the three parties, the sources said. Mr Baburam Bhattarai of CPN(Maoist), Mr Bamdev Gautam of CPN-UML and Mr Upendra Yadav of MPRF are likely to be appointed as deputy prime ministers, they said. It is likely that a small Cabinet will be formed on Friday and the full Cabinet will be announced after Mr Prachanda returns from his three-day visit to China, the sources said.

Mr Prachanda was elected the first PM of a republican Nepal on Friday. -PTI