KATHMANDU, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on Friday expanded his cabinet by inducting eleven new ministers including the foreign minister, putting the total number to 21.
The newly appointed 11 ministers were sworn in by President Bidya Devi Bhandari amidst a special function held at the Presidential Palace later in the evening.
Among the 11 ministers, six come from the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninist), and five come from the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre).
This is the third time the prime minister expanded his Cabinet since he came to power on Feb. 15 after being appointed by President Bhandari.
This is the first government elected in Nepal after the CPN (UML) emerged as the largest political party in the landmark elections held in November and December last year, which were billed as a turning point for the country.
An electoral alliance of the Oli-led CPN (UML) and the CPN (Maoist Center) trounced former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba-led Nepali Congress party in last year's polls, the first under the country's new constitution promulgated in 2015.