KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Madav Kumar Nepal today appointed Rajendra Mahato of Sadbhavana Party as Minister for Commerce and Supply and Prem Bahadur Singh of Samajbadi Prajatantrik Janata Party as Minister for Law and Justice.

This is the fifth time the CPN-UML led government expanded the Cabinet. The number of Cabinet ministers has now reached 32.

Mahato was elected from Sarlahi-4 and Singh was appointed as the Constituent Assembly (CA) member under the proportional representation system. PM Nepal administered the oath of office and secrecy to both the ministers in the presence of President Dr Ram Baran Yadav at Shital Niwas.

Prior to the swearing-in, Mahato had talked to PM Nepal, who reportedly vowed to follow the coalition culture. “He is positive on providing another ministry to the party,” said Mahato. Sadbhavana Party had been demanding two full ministries. Singh represents the fringe parties in the government. Four out of 11 parties had recommended his name a few days ago. One more ministry has been allocated for a representative of the small parties.