The Ditible
In the government led by KP Sharma Oli, nine individuals have been appointed as ministers for the first time. Out of the 12 ministers who joined Oli’s cabinet in his third term, nine are new faces, tasked with the challenge of proving themselves to the public.
From the new alliance, CPN-UML has included four new ministers, while the Nepali Congress has added five. Here are some of the key new ministers:
Bidya Bhattarai, Education Minister
Representing Kaski constituency number 2 in the House of Representatives, Bhattarai entered politics after the death of her husband, the then Minister of Tourism Rabindra Adhikari. Having been involved in student politics since 2046 and serving in various roles within the UML, she now takes on the Ministry of Education, a field where she has prior experience as a teacher.
Manbir Rai, Defense Minister
Known for his honesty, Rai represents Solukhumbu in the House of Representatives. He gained prominence after defeating a long-standing Congress leader. This is his first ministerial role.
Rajkumar Gupta, Federal Affairs Minister
Gupta, representing Parsa constituency number 3, was elected as a central member of UML in the 10th convention. With a background in business and politics, he now steps into a ministerial role for the first time.
Devendra Dahal, Minister of Physical Infrastructure
Dahal, representing the National Assembly, is a trusted confidant of UML President Oli. After the initial candidate’s withdrawal, Dahal was appointed as a minister, facing the challenge of managing the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport.
Dr. Arzu Rana, Foreign Affairs Minister
A proportional MP from the Nepali Congress, Rana, the wife of Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, takes on a ministerial role for the first time. She has previously served in various parliamentary roles and is known for her expertise in foreign affairs.
Pradip Poudel, Health Minister
Poudel, a dynamic youth leader in the Congress, represents Kathmandu Region No. 5 in the House of Representatives. He brings a history of student politics and leadership within the Congress to his first ministerial role.
Badri Pandey, Tourism Minister
Pandey, co-general minister of the Nepali Congress, has a background in student politics and journalism. Representing Bajura, he has been active in Congress leadership and now takes on his first ministerial role.
Aain Bahadur Shahi, Forest Minister
Shahi, representing Mugu in the House of Representatives, is focused on climate change and development in the Himalayan district. He brings a fresh perspective to his first ministerial role.
Ram Nath Adhikari, Agriculture Minister
Adhikari, from Dhading Constituency No. 2, has a long history with the Congress and is known for his loyalty and honesty. He aims to address challenges in agriculture and animal husbandry in his first ministerial position.
