PM's chosen three may run all ministries

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The Standing Committee meeting of the ruling CPN-UML today decided that Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal would distribute the ministries to the three ministers — Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Bharat Mohan Adhikari, Bishnu Poudel and Gangalal Tuladhar, who are ministers without portfolio — until Unified CPN-Maoist joined the government.

The meeting also reiterated its earlier stand that home and defence portfolios would not be given to the Maoists, whose votes were crucial for Khanal to become PM, until definite progress is made on the implementation of the peace process and completion of regrouping of Maoist combatants in two camps, for integration and rehabilitation.

“We’ll hold final talks with the Maoist leadership tomorrow about their prospect of joining the government,” party General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel told the media at the end of the meeting, held at CPN-UML’s Parliamentary Party Office.

A source said the Standing Committee was willing to offer the Maoists the posts of deputy prime minister and finance minister, if they agreed to join the cabinet and gave up their claim on security-related ministries.

If the Maoists refuse to join the Cabinet, the PM will distribute the ministries among the three ministers proportionately, the source added.

However, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, during a meeting with the PM on Saturday, apprised the latter about the Maoist Standing Committee decision that they would not join the government, but support it until the home ministry was given to his party as per the seven-point deal on February 3.

The CPN-UML also decided to raise a fund to support the party’s deserving cadres. The fund, initially with seed money of around Rs 20 crore, to be headed by party general secretary, will come into force after the party’s central committee approves its terms of reference.

The meeting also decided to construct a new party building, along with an auditorium with 1,500-seat capacity, within two years. A 13-member team, under party general secretary, has been formed to construct the new building.