Swearing-in scheduled for tomorrow

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The Office of the President has scheduled Prime Minister-elect Jhala Nath Khanal’s oath-taking ceremony for Sunday at 3 pm. “I’ve scheduled the swearing-in ceremony for Sunday,” said President Dr Ram Baran Yadav’s personal aide Lalit Bahadur Basnet.

President Dr Yadav, who is on a 10-day state visit to India, is returning home on Saturday. Meanwhile, names of the leaders likely to join Prime Minister-elect Jhala Nath Khanal’s cabinet have slowly started to come to the fore. “Some of the names of the ministers will be decided by tomorrow,” said CPN-UML Central Committee member Yogesh Bhattarai.

Tarai Madhes Democratic Party-Nepal led by Mahendra Yadav has almost decided to join the new government.

A source close to Khanal said Khanal is likely to choose Bharat Mohan Adhikary, Ashok Rai, Ghanashyam Bhushal and Bishnu Paudel of his own party. Khanal is yet to get names from the UCPN-M.

“The Maoists are yet to decide. However, the Maoists have suggested to Khanal some names,” said the source, adding, “It’s likely that Barshaman Pun and Netra Bikram Chand may join the government.”

The source added that Khanal would set the finance and home ministries aside for his party. “Adhikary may hold the finance portfolio, Rai homer and Bhushal minister for information and communications,” he added.

Maoist Vice Chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha, however, said nothing was decided yet. The leaders selected for the would-be cabinet would swear-in on Sunday.