KATHMANDU: Today, Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey of Gandaki Province expanded his cabinet, appointing Rajiv Gurung and Fanindra Devkota as ministers. Rajiv Gurung, a member of the provincial assembly, has been appointed as Minister of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management, while Fanindra Devkota, an MP, has been appointed as Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Drinking Water. 

Rajiv Gurung, who hails from Manag and won as an independent candidate, has consistently served as a minister in every government formed. Fanindra Devkota, elected from Gorkha Constituency 2, faces scrutiny for using the election symbol of CPN (Maoist Centre) despite being affiliated with CPN (Unified Socialist). In this context, steps are being implemented.

The oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed ministers was administered by Gandaki Province Head Dilli Raj Bhatta. Devkota's vote in favor of the Pandey government on Monday, contrary to the CPN (Maoist Centre) whip, came amid a vote of confidence in the 60-member Gandaki Province Assembly, where Pandey secured support.

Pandey, a provincial lawmaker from Nepali Congress, assumed the role of CM following a Supreme Court mandamus on May 29, as he is the parliamentary party leader of the largest party in the provincial assembly. Two ministerial seats remain vacant.

Chief Whip of the Nepali Congress, Nanda Prasad Neupane, mentioned that once the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, which supported Pandey, joins the government, all ministerial positions will be filled.