A standing committee meeting of the party convened at Grande Hospital in the Capital on Monday prepared criteria for picking ministerial candidates. The meeting also urged Prime Minister Sushil Koirala to administer ministerial oath to leader Gautam today itself.

According to UML standing committee member Bharat Mohan Adhikari, the meeting directed Gautam to pick ministers in line with the principle of inclusiveness. Gautam is likely to take oath as Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister by this evening if possible, he added.

Leader Gautam has been directed to take into account the thematic knowledge of the candidate and maintain the balance between Madhesi, women, Dalit and indigenous community while preparing the list of ministers. "Gautam will be leading the UML's team in the government," said Adhikari, "We have made it easier for him by giving him the liberty to form his team."

However, the standing committee has made it mandatory for Gautam to take suggestions from Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal, parliamentary party leader KP Sharma Oli and senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal while preparing the ministers' list.

"Almost all the UML ministers will take oath by tomorrow," said leader Adhikari. "UML will send a capable team in the government."