The CPN (Unified Socialist), one of the major constituents of the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government, has decided to replace its ministers while promoting its minister of state to full minister.

Among the five leaders recommended by the party for ministers, Sher Bahadur Kunwar is a former lawmaker. He was a member of the National Assembly who retired after serving for four years.

According to a leader, the two-day long secretariat meeting of the party that concluded on Sunday decided to change all the ministers.

“Today, we decided to replace our ministers,” said Vijay Poudel, deputy general secretary of the Unified Socialist. “We have already forwarded our decision to the prime minister.”

As per the decision, the prime minister will appoint Jeevan Ram Shrestha as the minister for tourism, Metmani Chaudhary minister for urban development, Sher Bahadur Kunwar minister for labour and employment, and Bhawani Prasad Khapung minister for health. Khapung earlier served as state minister for health.

The party has recommended Hira KC to be given the charge of state minister for health and population.

Shrestha will replace minister Prem Ale, Chaudhary will replace Ram Kumari Jhakri, Kunwar will replace Krishna Kumar Shrestha and Khapung will replace Birodh Khatiwada.

According to Gangalal Tuladhar, deputy general secretary of the party, the outgoing ministers were appointed for a six-month term but they had remained in the positions longer than that.

The party leadership was under pressure as all lawmakers of the party were demanding ministerial portfolios. The leadership had promised to replace its ministers in six months.

With the entry of Kunwar, the Deuba cabinet will have two ministers who are not lawmakers. Earlier on April 7, the prime minister inducted advocate Govinda Bandi as minister for law, justice and parliamentary affairs.