President Bidya Devi Bhandari appointed Yubaraj Khatiwada as finance, and communication and information technology minister on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after his resignation.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli recommended reappointment of Khatiwada to the President earlier on Wednesday morning just before he was taken to the operation theatre for a second kidney transplant on Wednesday morning. Oli was admitted to the hospital on Monday.

According to the Office of the President, President Bhandari appointed Khatiwada as minister for finance, and communication and information technology as per Article 78 (1) of the constitution.

President Bhandari is scheduled to administer the oath of office and secrecy to Khatiwada at Shital Niwas later on Wednesday.

Khatiwada was appointed minister for finance by Oli two years ago. He had been looking after the communication and information technology portfolio as well for the last two weeks after Gokul Baskota’s resignation over a leaked audio recording in which he was heard negotiating a Rs 700 million ‘commission”.

Khatiwada’s appointment earlier two years ago and reappointment on Wednesday as a minister are based on a constitutional provision that allows an unelected member to become a minister.

As per Article 79 of the constitution, Cabinet ministers who are not members of the House of Representatives or the National Assembly will need to be appointed to either House within six months of them assuming a portfolio.

Khatiwada now can serve as a minister for at least six months even if he is not nominated as a member of the National Assembly. The government, however, can extend his term as minister by renominating him in the National Assembly.