UML fails to remove Manange; Phanindra Devkota also retained

KATHMANDU: Despite a coalition between the CPN-UML and Congress being established for almost two months, the government in Gandaki State had yet to be expanded.

Eventually, a solution was reached by redistributing ministries.

The UML will now participate in the government.

The names of the ministers from the UML who will join the government have been finalized.

In the Congress-UML-led government, two ministers from the previous council have been retained. Phanindra Devkota from the Nepal Socialist Party and independent MP Rajeev Gurung (Deepak Manange) will continue as ministers.

Although the UML had insisted that Phanindra and Manange be removed from the government, Congress did not support the UML’s demand, so they have been retained.

Phanindra Devkota will continue as the Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation. Manange, who was previously the Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport, has been appointed as the Minister for Forests and Environment.

In Gandaki, the UML will hold 4 ministries while Congress, including the Chief Minister, will hold 5 ministries.

Phanindra and Manange were appointed as ministers from the Congress quota.