Sudurpaschim Chief Minister Khagaraj Bhatta is struggling to complete his cabinet as more lawmakers from his party, the Nepali Communist Party, seek ministerial posts than there are positions available.

The CPN’s Sudurpaschim provincial committee has recommended 12 lawmakers to the party’s central leadership, which will select three ministers and two ministers of state.

Bhatta was appointed chief minister on August 14 with the support of the CPN-UML. He has already appointed four UML ministers, including one state minister.

With the province limited to seven ministries, including the chief minister’s office, Bhatta can appoint only three more ministers and two state ministers.

“The province has recommended 12 names to the centre because there are more aspirants than available posts,” said Bhanu Bhakta Joshi, the party’s Sudurpaschim in-charge. “The centre will select three ministers and two state ministers from those names and send them to the province.”

Seven of the nominees are from the former CPN (Maoist Centre), three from the former Nagarik Unmukti Party and two from the former CPN (Unified Socialist), all of which merged to form the NCP.

The nominees from the former Maoist Centre are Om Bikram Bhatta, Shiva Singh Oli, Man Bahadur Dhami, Akkal Rawal, Jhapata Saud, Laxmi BK and Janaki Paudel.

From the former Nagarik Unmukti Party, the nominees are Kailash Chaudhary, Khushiram Chaudhary and Indira Giri. Prakash Rawal and Naresh Shahi are from the former Unified Socialist.