Koirala expands Cabinet in Nepal

Kathmandu, May 22 (UNI) Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today expanded his Cabinet, including some members from the three major parties of the seven-party alliance.

There are 12 Ministers and six Minister of State in the 18-member Cabinet of the three major parties -- the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba-led Nepali Congress Democratic.

Prime Minister Kirala retains the portfolio of Defence, Royal Palace Affairs and Health.

Deputy Speaker Chitra Lekha Yadav of the Nepali Congress Democratic is the new Water Resources Minister while three other members of the same party are also included in the Cabinet.

Nepali Congress has seven members, including the Prime Minister, CPN-UML six, Nepali Congress Democratic four and one from United Left Front.

There is no member from Nepal Sadbhavana Party (A), Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party and Peoples Front of the seven-party alliance in the Cabinet expansion.

The leaders of the seven parties had agreed to divide the portfolio of the Cabinet on the basis of their seats represented in the 205 seat Lower House of parliament.

UNI XC VJ HT1615