Nepalese prime minister brings in five new ministers

Kathmandu - Nepalese Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Wednesday expanded his government by inducting five new ministers. The expansion of the cabinet came amid a continuing squabble among political parties that supported Nepal in his election as prime minister in the legislative assembly in May. Nepal brought in four ministers from his Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) and one from Nepali Congress, taking the cabinet size to 22 members. They were sworn into office by the prime minister at the presidential palace in Kathmandu. CPN-UML kept key ministries taking home, defence, finance and information and communications. The party also claimed peace and reconstruction and general administration ministries, considered important as Nepal emerges from a decade of conflict. Nepali Congress took energy, irrigation and local development along with three other ministries. However, ethnic-based parties which played a key role in Nepal's election as prime minister were not included, owing to conflicting claims on important ministries. The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum and Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party have accused the CPN-UML and Nepali Congress of undermining their role in the formation of a Nepal-led government and of keeping all the major ministries for themselves. The CPN-UML government was formed after the Maoist-led coalition collapsed over power struggle with the president in early May. The Maoists were angry after President Ram Baran Yadav reinstated army chief Rupmangat Katuwal who was sacked by the Maoist-led government. The Maoists have accused both Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML of acting on the advice of foreign powers to topple its government. It has also vowed not to support the new government and have obstructed parliament and organised strikes and demonstrations denouncing the president. Although the Maoists are the biggest single party in the 601- member legislature - the Constituent Assembly - they are well short of a majority and cannot form a government on their own.