With multiple promises made to parties that supported him during the prime ministerial election, newly-elected Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli now  faces a big challenge of accommodating them in his Cabinet.

UML sources said Oli, while taking oath of office on Monday, will induct only two/three members in the Cabinet.

Pradeep Gyawali, a UML leader close to Oli, said the PM will induct only two or three members in the Cabinet while assuming the office on Monday and that it will take at least a week to form a full Cabinet by making an understanding among parties.

Parties in the government have to settle appointment of key positions—President, Vice President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker—in addition to allocating Cabinet portfolios as a package.  Sources said cross-party leaders have already initiated efforts to resolve the issues.

Key coalition partners will have a tough task ahead when it comes to portfolio allocation. As a part of their efforts to reach a package deal, second-rung leaders from CPN-UML, UCPN (Maoist), Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik and Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal are discussing the matter.

UML leader Bishnu Poudel, Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara, MJF-L leader Jitendra Dev and RPP-N Chairman Kamal Thapa are discussing ways to make understanding in Cabinet portfolio allocation and appointment in key government position. Over a dozen parties, which voted Oli in the prime ministerial elections, have expected a respectable share in the Cabinet.

Though it is not yet clear which ministry the UML would get, Bishnu Poudel, Bhim Rawal and Bidhya Devi Bhandari are supposed to join the Oli-led Cabinet.

Before extending its support to Oli, Maoist party claimed the posts of President or Vice President as well as deputy prime minister and Home minister.

“Though we have not discussed much about Cabinet portfolio allocation, it

has been agreed that our party will get positions including President, Home Ministry with DPM portfolio

and other development related ministries,” UCPN (M) Chief Whip Giriraj Mani Pokharel said.

The Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar-led MJF-L also claimed the post of President and other lucrative positions, citing under-representation of Madhesis.

“The parties have agreed to allocate preferred ministries for Gachhadar though it is not clear which ministries the party wants,” UML deputy spokesperson Surya Thapa said. RPP-N leaders said the UML has promised to offer it the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with DPM portfolio, Local Development Ministry and Tourism or Labour Ministry. Party sources said Thapa is likely to take charge of the Foreign Ministry and that Kunti Shahi and Dilnath Giri of the RPP-N are also likely to get ministerial berths in the new government.