Limited govt. expansion

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 17 June: The government of Madhav Kumar Nepal was expanded Wednesday by inducting five ministers and six ministers of state from CPN-UML and Nepali Congress only.
They took their oaths of office.
Government was expanded for the third time in nearly one month.
Three terai-based parties still didn’t join the government despite extended talks Prime Minister Nepal had with leaders of the three parties from the south.
Five ministers and six ministers of state were added.
Bhim Rawal (CPN-UML) was appointed home minister, Shanker Pokhrel (CPN-UML) communication minister, Rakam Chemjung (CPN-UML) peace minister and Rajendra Shrestha (CPN-UML) minister for general administration.
Mohammad Aftab Alam (Congress) was appointed labour minister
The expanded ministry now has 20 members.
Six Congress ministers without portfolios were assigned ministries.
An agreement was reached between five parties to have a 45-member council of ministers.
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Army chief, defence minister have discussions

Kathmandu, 17 June: Army Chief Gen Rukmgud Katawal and Defence Minister Bidya Bhandari held discussions on army issues and security matters Wednesday.
Army has been pushing for disciplinary action against Lt Gen Kul Bahadur Khadka retiring Saturday.
The move is opposed by the government trying to seek a deal with Maoists who appointed Khadka acting chief by sacking Katawal.
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KB Gurung announces candidacy for parliamentary party leader

Kathmandu, 17 June: Congress general secretary Kul Bahadur Gurung Wednesday announced his candidacy for leader of the party parliamentary leader.
Sher Bahadur Deuba is likely to contest as well; Ram Chandra has already announced his candidacy.
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Three Marxists killed by Naxalites in India.

Kathmandu, 17 June: Naxalites Wednesday killed three more Marxist leaders in West Bengal.
Naxalites are Indian Maoists.
Some Indian analysts say Naxalite movement is worse than the Kashmir insurgency.
Three Marxists were killed and six others went missing Tuesday.
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