4 parties join Nepal's new government

Four political parties joined Nepal's new government Sunday, boosting the strength of the ruling coalition to six parties.

The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and Madeshi People's Rights Forum were joined by the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist), the People's Forum Nepal, the Nepal Sadbhawana Party and the Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist).

Home Secretary Bhoj Raj Ghimire said the new parties received ministerial appointments that increased the size of the Cabinet to 24.

Bam Dev Gautam from the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist) was appointed deputy prime minister and home minister, becoming second in the government's hierarchy, Ghimire said.

The government, led by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), the former communist rebels, took power earlier this month after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal was elected by the governing Constituent Assembly.

The Maoists, who entered mainstream politics after giving up their decade-long rebellion in 2006, won the most seats in the assembly election in April but did not secure a majority, requiring them to seek the support of other parties to form a government.