Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' is not planning to expand the Council of Ministers immediately.
According to Baluwatar sources, he will expand the cabinet only after taking the vote of confidence. There are eight members in the cabinet, currently.
"The cabinet will be expanded only by the second week of January by introducing a common minimum program and taking all the political parties into confidence," said a leader close to Prachanda.
According to the Constitution, a council of ministers can be formed not exceeding 25 in number including three state ministers.
Prachanda is of the view that it would be practical to expand the cabinet only after reaching a package deal on various posts including those of constitutional bodies.
The agreement has to be reached on various posts such as President, Vice President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, National Assembly Chairman, Deputy Chairman, State Governors, Chief Ministers, Ministers, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Province Assembly, and ambassadors.
Prachanda, who took the oath of office on Monday with the support of 169 lawmakers from seven political parties, is trying to bring the CPN (Unified Socialist) into the government.
"We are formulating a common minimum program including the agendas of those who do not participate in the government," said Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.
According to Lamichhane, Rastriya Prajatantra Party will also participate in the government.
