G P Koirala sworn in as Nepal Prime Minister

Kathmandu, Apr 30: President of Nepali Congress Girija Prasad Koirala was today sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal.

Mr Koirala was administered the oath of office and secrecy by King Gyanendra a little after 1000 hrs (local time) at the Narayanhity Palace, sources said.

Mr Koirala takes over as Prime Minister for the fifth time.

Mr Koirala will take charge as the Prime Minister today itself and will attend the Parliament session beginning at 1600 hrs, where discussions on his resolution for elections to a constituent assembly and ceasefire with the Maoists will take place, sources said.

The octogenarian leader was earlier to be sworn in on Friday but the oath ceremony was postponed twice on account of his ill health.

The Council of Ministers will be sworn in later today at the Singh Darbar.

According to sources, the Cabinet list, finalised by the seven-Party Alliance, will comprise at least six members each from the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML.

There will be three members from the Nepali Congress (Democratic), one from the Nepal Sadbhavna Party (Anandi) and two from the Civil Society organisations. However, the Nepali Workers and Peasants Party and the Nepal Janmorcha will stay away from the Ministry, the sources said, adding they are likely to join the interim government in which Maoists will also participate.

According to sources, among the Cabinet probables is Mr K P Sharma Oli (CPN-UML), who will be sworn in as the Deputy Prime Minister and will be given charge of Home.

The King had appointed Mr Koirala as the Prime Minister on Thursday under art 36(1) of the 1990 Constitution after receiving official intimation from the seven-party alliance and the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party of his unanimous election to the post.

UNI