Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal administered the oath of office and secrecy to 10 ministers against the party decision to postpone Monday’s swearing in function.
The party meeting held on Monday decided to convene central committee meet on 6 August to discuss on this matter but Khanal remained firm on his decision to induct the new ministers in his cabinet.
“Although the party can decide the ministerial candidate, but the authority to administer oath and secrecy solely rests on the prime minister,” he said.
Khanal challenged the central committee to take action against him although almost all central committee members stood against him, including Deputy PM Bharat Mohan Adhikari. Bamdev Gautam only supported him on Monday meeting.
“The central committee will decide action against him,” said UML secretary Shankar Pokhrel.
It is the second time Khanal had defied party’s decision. Earlier, the party had strongly ruled not to give home ministry to the Maoists. Khanal had proposed Bishnu Poudel as home minister in the party’s meeting but gave the portfolio to the Maoist candidate Krishna Bahadur Mahara. The central committee could not take any action him.
Of 10 ministers sworn in today, nine are of the Maoists and one from Madhesi Janadhikar Forum.
Narayan Kaji Shrestha: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister
Post Bahadur Bogati: Minister for Information and Communications
Lokendra Bista: Health Minister
Pampha Bhusal: Minister for Peace and Reconstruction
Hisila Yami: Minister for Land Reforms
Lekh Raj Bhatta: Minister for Science and Technology
Khadga Bahadur Bishwokarma: Tourism Minister
Jaya Puri Gharti: Women Children and Social Welfare
Prabhu Sah: Minister for Law and Justice
Mahendra Paswan: Industry Minister
Onsari Gharti Magar: Youth and Sports Minister
Bijaya Yadav (MJF): Minister of Commerce and Supplies