Maoists to join

The Maoists have finally decided to join the government led by the UML.

A meeting of the standing committee today, held at the Maoist headquarters at Parisdanda, Koteshwor, decided to join the government under the leadership of Krishna Bahadur Mahara, chief of the party’s foreign department.

Talking to the media after the meeting, spokesperson of the party Dina Nath Sharma said that the Maoist party would send 11 party members to the UML-led government under the leadership of Mahara. He will be senior Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Information and Communications. The names of the remaining Maoist representatives were meant to be finalised today but the meeting was postponed with the departure of Chairman Dahal for the inauguration of Gulmi Mahotsav.

This decision of the Maoists has paved the way for Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal to expand the Council of Ministers. The cabinet had not been expanded after the Maoist stuck to their demand for the home ministry portfolio along with the complete implementation of the seven-point pact signed between Dahal and Khanal.

The two parties are yet to reach consensus on the issue of the home ministry, with both still claiming the post.