The CPN (Maoist Centre), whose ministers were stripped off portfolios last week, has decided not to recall its ministers from the government anytime soon.

Last week the party had said it would quit the Nepali Congress (NC)-led government after filing the nominations for the first-past-the-post elections to federal parliament and provincial assemblies.

The party said pulling out from the government at a time when the government is gearing up for elections would send a negative message.

“Some ministers from Maoist Centre are out of Kathmandu Valley. Furthermore, there are technical issues concerning the elections. Therefore, the party will find a suitable time to recall its ministers,” said Maoist Centre Spokesperson Pampha Bhusal.

Maoist minister without portfolio Mahendra Bahadur Shahi said that they [Maoist ministers] are waiting for the party’s official decision before resigning. Shahi, who is in Kalikot now, had earlier announced that the Maoist Center would quit government on October 22.

Shahi was Energy Minister before he was rendered minister without portfolio after Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba inducted new ministers from Rastriya Prajatantra Party.

PM Deuba had stripped the portfolios of 17 ministers of CPN (Maoist Centre) and inducted new ministers from RPP in his cabinet after the formation of left alliance.