Pandey becoming Bagmati CM, three ministers sworn in today

KATHMANDU: OCT. 28 – CPN-Unified Socialist leader Rajendra Pandey is becoming the Chief Minister of Bagmati State. Pandey is set to become the chief minister after Astalaxmi Shakya, who became the chief minister from UML, resigned in the minority.

Pandey reached the office of the state chief on Wednesday and submitted his demand to the chief minister. In Bagmati, 55 MPs are needed to form a government. Proposed Chief Minister Pandey has the support of 59 MPs. He is forming a small cabinet today.

The alliance with Chief Minister Pandey is preparing to swear in one minister from each party. In the first phase, preparations have been made to form a cabinet by sharing the responsibilities of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning, Physical Infrastructure Development and Social Development. UCPN (Maoist) central deputy leader Kumari Moktan, Congress deputy leader Krishnalal Bhandel and UCPN (Maoist) deputy leader Krishna Khanal have been confirmed to be ministers.

Moktan is preparing to give the responsibility of Minister for Economic Affairs, Physical Infrastructure and Social Development to Khanal. The alliance has stated that Chief Minister Pandey will join the government with three ministers immediately and will complete the cabinet after Tihar.