There has been dispute within the seven party alliance (SPA) for the division of portfolio in the coalition government.

A meeting of the top leaders of the SPA held at Prime Ministers residence in Baluwatar could not make any decision on expansion of the cabinet after two parties of the SPA demanded the portfolio of Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) in the incumbent government and one party demanded more portfolios.

Nepali Congress (Democratic) and People’s Front Nepal demanded the portfolios of DPM and Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandidevi) demanded two posts in the cabinet.

NC (D) proposed the name of Gopal Man Shrestha, who currently holding the post of Ministry for Physical Planning and Works and People’s Front Nepal proposed its chairman Amik Serchan for the post of DPM.

Earlier, the SPA agreed to have seven ministers from NC, 6 from CPN-UML, four from NC (D) and one each from other parties of the SPA.

The meeting also decided to table the 25-point Ceasefire Code of Conduct in the House of Representatives (HoR) for ratification.

The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s residence on Sunday also decided to finalise the HoR Regulations within a week.

Leaders who took part in the meeting said the work procedures of the council of ministers would also be introduced after the ratification of the regulations.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said that the code would be tabled in the parliament for the legitimacy of the ceasefire.

Talking to journalists, Serchan said they decided to table the code in the parliament to legitimise the government-Maoist talks.

The leaders decided to finalize the draft regulations, as they felt it necessary to further work out some issues in the 63-page draft presented by Nepal Workers and Peasants’ Party Chairman Narayan Man Bijukchhe.

According to Madhav Kumar Nepal, general secretary of CPN-UML, the issue of reinstating local bodies was also taken up during the meeting. The Maoists are opposed to any such move.

Another CPN-UML leader Amrit Bohara, however, said it will not be an issue of contention after all the parties have agreed to opt for constituent assembly elections.