Paudel assuming defense ministry Wednesday

KATHMANDU, March 8: Newly appointed Defense Minister Bishnu Paudel is assuming office Wednesday morning, dispelling doubts that he may not accept the portfolio until his party changes the earlier decision to pick him as the candidate for home minister.



Sources at the Ministry of Defense told Republica that senior officials from the ministry met Paudel on Tuesday to finalize the decision. [break]



Though Prime Minister Khanal had proposed to award defense ministry to Paudel during the standing committee meeting on Monday, the meeting had not endorsed the proposal.



Paudel had said that he might accept the defense portfolio if the standing committee changes its earlier decision to award him home ministry.



Though he was inducted in the cabinet almost a month ago, the prime minister had not given him any responsibility.

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