Nepalese Prime Minister Sushila Karki has expanded the cabinet for the third time in less than two months, fuelling fresh debate over her ministerial choices.
The cabinet now has ten members after two new figures took oath on Sunday at Sheetal Niwas, although four names were initially forwarded for appointment.
On the prime minister’s recommendation, Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to Sudha Sharma Gautam as health and population minister and Bablu Gupta as minister for youth and sports.
Karki had earlier pledged to keep the cabinet limited to eleven members but has repeatedly adjusted the line-up as political frictions continued behind the scenes.
Gautam, a former health secretary and a gynaecologist by training, has worked with global health organisations since her retirement in 2011.
She is acknowledged in literary circles for two books based on her professional journey and personal reflections.
Gupta entered the cabinet from social activism, having led an organisation that provides free education, meals and accommodation to disadvantaged students in Kathmandu.
He was a leading face of the Gen Z movement that forced the fall of the KP Sharma Oli-led coalition and cleared the path for Karki to take office as interim leader.
Officials close to the prime minister say she hopes this line-up will remain intact until the election scheduled for 5 March.
But Sunday’s ceremony again revealed the tensions surrounding ministerial selections.
The President’s Office confirmed that four names were originally sent for approval, but two were withdrawn at the eleventh hour.
Dalit rights activist Khagendra Sunar and cultural heritage advocate Ganapati Lal Shrestha were dropped after their candidacies triggered separate controversies.
Media reports revealed Sunar has multiple cases pending in various courts and is listed as a fugitive in a criminal matter, prompting the Prime Minister’s Office to halt his appointment.
He faces contempt-of-court proceedings at the Supreme Court for allegedly verbally abusing judges and damaging court property.
Courts in Kavrepalanchok and Surkhet have also issued arrest warrants accusing him of electronic crimes and assault.
Sunar rose to prominence during public outrage over the 2020 Rukum West killings of Dalit youths but has since drawn criticism for inflammatory rhetoric and threats directed at the judiciary.
Shrestha’s exclusion stemmed from disagreements over his portfolio.
Karki wanted him at the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, but he demanded the culture and tourism portfolio based on his experience in heritage activism.
A similar incident occurred during the second cabinet expansion on September 22, when Sangeeta Mishra was slated to become health minister before backing out amid an anti-corruption investigation.
Mishra later faced a case filed by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority.
The prime minister’s chief adviser, Ajaya Bhadra Khanal, said repeated controversies reflect the absence of a formal vetting system.
He said the government either faces pressure when names are public early or risks choosing flawed candidates when secrecy is maintained.
Shrestha could still be accommodated if a portfolio compromise is reached, officials said.
Karki hopes the latest reshuffle will stabilise the government as preparations continue for the national election.
