Nepal Chief Minister Struggles to Fill Cabinet Amidst Numerous Aspirants

Sudurpaschim Chief Minister Khagaraj Bhatta is grappling with an oversupply of aspirants within his own party, the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), as he attempts to finalize his cabinet. The NCP's Sudurpaschim provincial committee has put forward 12 names to the party's central leadership for consideration, a number that significantly exceeds the available ministerial and state minister positions.

Bhatta, who assumed the role of chief minister on August 14 with backing from the CPN-UML, is constrained by the province's limit of seven ministries, including his own office. This leaves only three ministerial and two state ministerial appointments to be made. The surplus of candidates highlights internal party dynamics and the competition for positions.

"The province has recommended 12 names to the centre because there are more aspirants than available posts," stated Bhanu Bhakta Joshi, the NCP's Sudurpaschim in-charge. He explained that the central leadership will make the final selection from the nominated list. The nominees represent various factions that merged to form the NCP, including seven from the former CPN (Maoist Centre), three from the former Nagarik Unmukti Party, and two from the former CPN (Unified Socialist).

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The province has recommended 12 names to the centre because there are more aspirants than available posts.