Phanindra & Manange sworn in as ministers in Gandaki State

KATHMANDU: Surendraraj Pandey, the Chief Minister of Gandaki, is set to expand his cabinet today with the induction of MP Phanindra Devkota and Deepak Manange (Rajiv Gurung) as ministers.

Devkota is slated to assume the role of Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Drinking Water.

He also holds the position of Chair of the Social Development and Agriculture Committee of Gandaki.

Independent MP Deepak Manange is embarking on his sixth ministerial stint.

Having served twice in the second term of the state assembly, Manange previously held the portfolio of Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport during Surendraraj Pandey’s minority government.

Even amidst political upheavals, Manange retained his position in the Khagraj Adhikari government.

Despite being neutral earlier, the RPP has now extended its vote of confidence to Pandey.

Pancharam Tamu has been proposed as a ministerial candidate from the RPP, although the party’s decision on joining the government remains pending.

On another front, the Nepal Samajwadi Party has issued warnings regarding Devkota’s allegiance, claiming he may act against the party’s interests.

Devkota, representing Gorkha 2 (A), asserts that he is following the directives of NSP and has pledged his support to Chief Minister Pandey, who intends to include him in the Council of Ministers promptly.