With the two biggest parties represented in the parliament, Nepali Congress and CPN (UML), deciding to form the new government, the bid for the ministerial position has begun.
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba is preparing to send a team with leaders from both camps. According to leaders close to Deuba, he wants someone among Gagan Thapa, Prakash Man Singh, Shashank Koirala, and Shekhar Koirala to lead the team joining the government.
Given the latest preparations done so far, the possibility of Ramesh Lekhak for the Ministry of Home Affairs is strong. Lekhak, who is currently the chief whip of the NC, is known for his ability to bridge divides and foster cooperation within the party. He has made a special contribution to the recent political development. In the process of forming a new alliance, he has worked closely with UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli. Deuba believes that by sending Lekhak, who has won the trust of Oli, the operation of the government will be easier and Oli will also accept him easily.
The issue of transitional justice is also becoming the main agenda now. Lekhak has been working on this matter on behalf of Deuba.
Similarly, a constitutional amendment has been made the basic agenda of the NC (UML) alliance. Even in that work, Lekhak wins the trust of Deuba.
Unless the other leader in the party takes a stand to become the Home Minister, Lekhak is likely to become the Home Minister, if not, Law Minister.
After Lekhak, Arzu Rana is seen as a candidate not to be missed on the list this time. NC leaders say that no one can stop her from becoming the foreign minister. This is the portfolio she has been eying for a long time.
The other leaders with the high possibility of becoming ministers are Gagan Thapa, Badri Pandey, Jeevan Pariyar, and Kishore Singh Rathore.
Leaders close to Gagan Thapa say that Thapa is trying to join the government as the Deputy Prime Minister and Home, if not only as the home minister. Oli may also be interested in keeping Gagan in his team. However, it is not certain whether the faction within NC will give him that opportunity.
Deputy General Secretary Badri Pandey has also a strong chance of becoming minister this time. Deuba has also been positive toward Pandey for some time now. Pandey is considered to be a capable leader who has not had an opportunity to join the government so far.
If Gagan fails to make it himself, he might also push for Bishwa Prakash Sharma or Pradeep Paudel.
Similarly, Deputy General Secretary Kishore is another candidate with high chance to become the minister. He has never been a minister before.
However, if Deepak Giri gets an opportunity on Sashank Koirala's quota, Rathore may not be in the team. However, Shashank himself is willing to join the government if he gets the opportunity.
Besides, Bishnu Kumari Sapkota from Gulmi is likely to get a chance this time.
People recommended by Purna Bahadur Khadka from Karnali can get opportunity as a minister. There is a strong possibility that he might recommend Jumla MP Kantika Sejuwal.
Deputy General Secretary Jeevan Pariyar is another candidate with a high chance to become a minister. He is also one among those who did not get the opportunity to be a minister before.
Similarly, Prakash Man Singh may join the government if he is allowed to lead the team. If not Prakash Man, he might recommend another leader to the government from this faction.
Radha Thapa, Durlav Thapa, Jitjung Basnet and Uday Shamsher Rana from the Deuba camp are also trying to join the government.
There have been discussions to allow Shekhar Koirala or someone sent by him to become a minister from Koshi Province. Since Ramesh Rijal has got a chance from Madhesh Province before, another person is being looked for this time.
There has been an agreement on the distribution of ministerial portfolios between NC and UML, according to which, 11 ministries will go to the NC and 10 to the UML.
However, the share of both parties will be reduced in case of forming the national consensus government that involves other fringe parties, too.
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