New coalition meeting underway in Baluwatar (With photos)

KATHMANDU: A meeting of the new coalition is underway at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar.

The meeting was held in Baluwatar after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda decided to leave the Nepali Congress-led coalition and form a new one with the CPN-UML.

With the change in the coalition, preparations are underway to form a small-sized Cabinet today itself.

CPN-UML’s Padam Giri and CPN (Maoist Centre)’s Barshaman Pun will become the ministers while Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane is joining the government by taking the responsibility of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal, senior Vice-Chairman Narayankaji Shrestha, Deputy General Secretary Barshaman Pun from the CPN (Maoist Centre), along with Oli, Vice-Chairman Bishnu Paudel and General Secretary Shankar Pokharel and RSP’s President Rabi Lamichhane are participating in the meeting.

Janamat and Nagarik Unmukti Party are in dialogue with the new coalition while the Maoist Centre has decided to rope in the Madhav Nepal-led CPN (Unified Socialist).