Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Sunday expanded her Cabinet for the third time after the formation of this government on September 12, appointing two new ministers on Sunday.

At a ceremony held at the President’s Office, Sheetal Niwas, President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to Dr Sudha Sharma Gautam, minister for health and population, and Bablu Gupta, minister for youth and sports.

The latest Cabinet reshuffle comes around six weeks after the youth-led anti-corruption movement toppled the then KP Sharma Oli government and brought Karki to power.

Prime Minister Karki had also planned to appoint Ganapatilal Shrestha and Khagendra Sunar as ministers. However, following revelations that Sunar was facing pending legal cases in various courts, his nomination for the post of minister for labour, employment and social security was withdrawn.

Similarly, the name of Ganapatilal Shrestha, who was considered as minister for land management, cooperatives and poverty alleviation, was retracted at the last moment. Sources at the Prime Minister’s Office said Shrestha had aspired to lead the culture, tourism and civil aviation ministry, but Karki had instead recommended him for the land portfolio.

With the inclusion of Gautam and Gupta, the Council of Ministers now comprises 10 members, including Prime Minister Karki.