Sudurpaschim Chief Minister Dirgha Bahadur Sodari has finally expanded the provincial Council of Ministers after the CPN-UML agreed to join the government. The UML was undecided for a long time whether to join the provincial government led by CPN (Unified Socialist) leader Sodari.

The chief minister appointed seven ministers—three each from the UML and CPN (Maoist Centre) and one from the Unified Socialist. Surendra Bahadur Pal of the UML and Om Bikram Bhat of the Maoist Centre have been appointed as the financial affairs and social development ministers respectively. Other ministers—Bir Bahadur Thapa and Hira Sarki of the UML, Akkal Bahadur Rawal and Laxmi BK of the Maoist Centre and Maya Panta of the Unified Socialist—are yet to be provided the portfolios.

Provincial head Najir Miya administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed ministers amid a function on Monday. The Cabinet now has 10 members, including the chief minister.

Meanwhile, independent province assembly member Tara Joshi refused the ministerial berth. Chief Minister Sodari appointed Joshi as the Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment but Joshi refused the post and remained absent in the swearing-in ceremony. Joshi said he refused the post as the provincial government is preparing to split the ministry.