Kathmandu, Sept. 2 -- Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba took office nearly two months ago, but aside from five ministers hehas not been able to set up a full Cabinet.

It is not for the lack of trying: he needs to balance disparate demands of coalition partners who want their rewards for backing him. The second Covid wave may be waning, and Kathmandu Valley lifted its three-month lockdown on Wednesday, but the economy and development are at a standstill.

But that seems to be of little concern to personalities in the parlours of power whose eyes are set ongrabbing important portfoliosahead of the 2023 elections so they can build up war chests, as well as command the government and security apparatus.

Staking their claims to Cabinet posit...