Koirala names seven-member Cabinet

Kathmandu, May 2 (UNI) Nepal Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today appointed a seven-member Cabinet.

CPN UML's Khagda Prasad Oli has been made the Deputy Prime Minister and also given charge of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Mr Ram Sharan Mahat of Nepali Congress (NC) has been made the Finance Minister while NC's spokesperson Mr Krishna Sitaula has been given charge of the Home Ministry.

Mr Gopal Shrestha of Nepali Congress (D) will be Minister of Physical Planning and Works and Mr Mahanta Thakur of NC will look after the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry.

Mr Prabhu Narayan Chaudary of the United Front has been given responsibility of Land Reform and Management.

A meeting of the leaders of Seven Party alliances, held here yesterday, agreed in principle to limit the strength of the Cabinet to 21.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has kept some of the portfolios with him for further Cabinet expansion.

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