A month after he was appointed minister without portfolio on December 25, Janamat Party Vice-Chair Abdul Khan assumed office as the Minister for Water Supply on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had given Khan the portfolio of the Ministry of Water Supply when he expanded the Cabinet on January 17. But he had refused to assume the office earlier, claiming that his party had been promised the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies.

“The Prime Minister has assured us to resolve the issue of ministerial berths soon. So, our vice chair has assumed office today [Wednesday],” Janamat Party General Secretary Chandan Singh told the Post.

The newly emerged Janamat Party won six seats in its first attempt at the major polls and earned a national party status. Though it had joined the Dahal-led cabinet at first, it was until recently insisting on one more—either the Ministry of Agriculture or the Ministry of Industry.