Balen Shah Forms 15-Member Cabinet, Bagmati Leaders Dominate Key Roles

Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) has officially announced a 15-member cabinet, with a significant number of ministers representing Bagmati Province in key positions.

From Bagmati, Shishir Khanal has been appointed as Minister for Foreign Affairs, while Birajbhakta Shrestha takes charge of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation. Sammit Pokhrel will lead the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, along with Youth and Sports. Similarly, Dr. Vikram Timilsina has been assigned the Communications and Information Technology portfolio, and Sobita Gautam will serve as Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs.

All five Bagmati ministers were directly elected: Khanal from Kathmandu-6, Shrestha from Kathmandu-8, Pokhrel from Kathmandu-5, Timilsina from Nuwakot-1, and Gautam from Chitwan-3.

From Gandaki Province, three नेताओं have secured major roles. Swarnim Wagle has been appointed Finance Minister, Sudan Gurung as Home Minister, and Ganes Paudel as Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation. They were elected from Tanahun-1, Gorkha-1, and Kaski-1 respectively.

In Lumbini Province, Sunil Lamsal, elected from Rupandehi-1, has been given responsibility for Physical Infrastructure and Urban Development.

Karnali Province is represented by a minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, elected through the proportional representation system.

From Sudurpaschim Province, two ministers have been appointed from Kanchanpur through proportional representation. Gita Chaudhary has been entrusted with Agriculture and Livestock Development along with Forest and Environment, while Pratibha Rawal will handle Land Management, Cooperatives, and also Forest and Environment responsibilities.

In Koshi Province, Nisha Mehta from Sunsari has been appointed Minister for Health and Population as well as Drinking Water. Meanwhile, from Madhes Province, Deepak Kumar Shah, elected from Mahottari-2, has taken charge as Minister for Labor and Employment.

The new cabinet reflects a mix of directly elected leaders and proportional representation members, with strong representation from Bagmati and key provinces across the country.