Top leaders of the new coalition signed on the finalised CMP at a meeting held at the PM's office in the afternoon. "Now the CMP has been already finalised, it is time to expand the cabinet," Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said after signing the document. He requested all parties to submit the names of the ministerial candidates.

The CMP has mentioned the prioritised six points- building national consensus among the political parties, ensuring good governance and rule of law through an end to anarchy, insecurity and impunity, implementing past agreements to complete the peace process, restructuring the state and writing constitution within the stipulated time through consensus, improving the supply system, inflation control, providing relief to the people and bringing about rapid economic growth, creating the basis for socio-economic transformation.

The CMP has also incorporated the rule of procedure to run the government, a high level political coordination committee and code of ethic for ministers.

However, the political parties are still haggling over the ministerial berths. The NC has not selected the leader to lead the party in the new government. Party president Girija Prasad Koiral has proposed the name of his daughter Sujata Koirala as leader of NC team in the new government as well as foreign ministry. But the NC leaders are not happy with the decision. Sushil Koirala, party general secretary said he would resign from the post if Sujata is made minister.

MJF has demanded five ministries including Home, Water Resources and Physical Planning and Works. The party helped Nepal gain majority in parliament during PM election process. Party's parliamentary leader Bijay Gachchhedar had collected consent of 32 lawmakers of his party in favour of Nepal's candidacy, despite objections by party's chairman Upendra Yadav. The debate on who will lead the party in new government is still uncertain as the both leaders, Yadav and Gachchhedar have been claiming the post.

The UML has formed a team of party chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, general secretary Ishwar Pokharel and senior leader of the party K P Oli to name the ministerial candidates from party. The team has finalised two names for ministerial posts: party secretary Shankar Pokharel and politburo member Rabindra Shrestha while Raghubir
Mahaseth, Bhim Rawal, Bhanubhakta Jaisi, Bishnu Poudel and Ram Chandra Jha are other probable candidates for cabinet.

Dewan Rai