Despite promises that a reshuffle in the Oli administration will be “based on merit, system and performance”, the prime minister on Wednesday effected a minor rejig in his Cabinet which smacked of internal political manoeuvrings.

The changes included removal of Ishwar Pokhrel as the defence minister and inclusion of Bishnu Poudel as the finance minister.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has kept the Defence Ministry portfolio with himself. The Finance Ministry, which was with Oli since Yubaraj Khatiwada resigned earlier this month, has been given to Poudel, who is also the general secretary of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP). The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has been given to Parbat Gurung, who was minister for children, women and senior citizens.

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