KATHMANDU: CPN-UML’s National Assembly member Bhagwati Neupane has been appointed as the new Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration.

Her appointment comes on the same day Rajkumar Gupta, also of CPN-UML, resigned from the ministerial post following public outcry over bribery allegations.

An audio recording allegedly capturing Gupta demanding a bribe had sparked widespread criticism and forced his exit.

Neupane currently serves as the CPN-UML whip in the National Assembly.

Although she was defeated in the 2017 local level elections as the party’s mayoral candidate in Bhanu Municipality, Tanahun, she later secured a seat in the National Assembly representing CPN-UML.