As the day for the prime minister’s inauguration draws near, leaders of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have begun holding discussions on potential ministers.
A party leader said that informal talks are ongoing between party President Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Balen Shah regarding the selection of ministers.
The Parliament Secretariat is preparing to administer the oath to newly-elected members of the House of Representatives on Thursday (March 26). The eldest member of the House, Arjun Narsingh KC, will take his oath of office and secrecy on Wednesday. As the eldest member, KC will then administer the oath to the other lawmakers.
Immediately after the lawmakers are sworn in, the RSP will hold a party meeting to elect Balen Shah as its parliamentary party leader.
“Discussions are underway regarding whether to hold a party meeting and elect the leader immediately after the lawmakers’ swearing-in, or to call a party meeting on March 27,” the leader said.
Party Spokesperson Manish Jha also stated that the secretariat has not yet held discussions regarding calling a party meeting. “There is no information regarding the party meeting; so far, there is only information regarding the swearing-in of the MPs,” he said.
Since the RSP alone has secured nearly a two-thirds majority with 182 seats, the government will be formed according to Article 76 (1) of the Constitution.
According to the provision in Article 76 (1), the president shall appoint the leader of the parliamentary party that commands a majority in the House of Representatives as the prime minister, and the Council of Ministers shall be constituted under his or her chairpersonship.
Therefore, President Ram Chandra Paudel could appoint the prime minister as soon as the RSP elects its parliamentary party leader. The RSP is preparing to have the prime minister sworn in on March 27. During a discussion held on Wednesday, party President Lamichhane, senior leader Shah, Vice-presidents DP Aryal and Swarnim Wagle, and other leaders decided on March 27 as the date for the prime minister’s oath-taking ceremony.
RSP General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti said that the existing size of the Cabinet will be reduced. The RSP specified the number of ministries in its election manifesto. The current Constitution limits the size of the federal Council of Ministers to 25. In its election manifesto, presenting 100 grounds for transformation, the RSP declared that it would limit the number of federal ministries to 18.
“By limiting the number of federal ministries to 18, we will establish a new standard of expert ministers and expertise-based civil administration. We will transform the Prime Minister's Office into a results-center that goes beyond being a mere administrative body to directly monitor inter-ministerial coordination, climate change, and large-scale projects,” the RSP stated in its manifesto. General Secretary Burlakoti said that discussions are being held accordingly.
“We said in our manifesto that we would reduce the number of ministries. Accordingly, discussions are underway to create at least 15 and at most 18 ministries. We have, however, not yet entered into the names of ministers,” Burlakoti said.
DP Aryal or Sunil Lamsal for Home Ministry?
According to information provided by an office-bearer of the RSP, party President Lamichhane and senior leader Shah are preparing a roster to select ministers. They are preparing the list by aiming to appoint ministers who are subject-matter experts, capable of focusing on service delivery, and possess commanding ability.
“Work is underway to prepare a list of ministers and examine their backgrounds. Lawmakers have been told that no one needs to exert pressure, that the leadership itself will evaluate the capabilities of the lawmakers and form a suitable and lean team,” a leader said.
According to the leader, the names of Vice-president Aryal and Sunil Lamsal are being discussed for the post of home minister. President Lamichhane wishes to appoint Aryal, while Shah has proposed Lamsal’s name. Lamsal is currently the party’s general secretary. When Shah was the mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Lamsal was in his secretariat. He served as an infrastructure expert for the metropolis. Elected from Rupandehi-1, Lamsal is one of Shah’s trusted confidants.
Furthermore, leaders say that Vice-president Aryal has also been proposed for the position of speaker of the House. However, leaders claim that Aryal has shown more interest in the Home Ministry than the speaker’s role.
President Lamichhane and senior leader Shad have not yet reached a conclusion on the matter. If Aryal becomes the home minister, Lamsal may get another ministry. There is also talk of merging the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Urban Development. RSP leaders say there is a possibility of merging these two ministries and giving the leadership to Lamsal.
Leaders also say that a search for a candidate for speaker is underway within the RSP. They claim that a young face is being sought for the role.
There is talk of another party Vice-president, Swarnim Wagle, becoming the finance minister. Leaders say there is a near-consensus within the party on his name.
Spokesperson Manish Jha is also on the list of potential ministers. Jha has expressed an interest in the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
The leader said that the party is planning to appoint Sobita Gautam, elected from Chitwan-3, as the law minister. Some within the party have also urged for Gautam to be made the speaker. However, the leader said that former deputy speaker Indira Rana Magar is also staking her claim to the position.
Among those who were reelected under the first-past-the-post system, Shishir Khanal from Kathmandu-6, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha from Kathmandu-8, and Dr Toshima Karki from Lalitpur have also expressed aspirations for ministerial positions. Leaders say preparations are underway to appoint Khanal as the foreign minister.
Sasmit Pokharel, who was elected from Kathmandu-5, Rajunath Pandey from Kathmandu-3, and Sumnima Udas are also being discussed for ministerial roles.
Burlakoti as chief whip and Dangi as whip
According to information given by RSP leaders, General Secretary Burlakoti is being discussed for the role of chief whip. Burlakoti was elected from Gorkha-2.
Similarly, Nisha Dangi, the lawmaker elected from Jhapa-1, is being discussed for the position of whip. Dangi served as the party’s whip in the previous House of Representatives as well.
“Discussions have moved forward within the party to make General Secretary Burlakoti the chief whip and Nisha the whip,” said the RSP leader.
