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Nepal's interim regime to take oath today

Ameet Dhakal

Embattled Maliki appeals for national unity

KATHMANDU: Top leaders of the ruling Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) have hammered out an agreement to form an interim government, ending the political uncertainty in Nepal.

The new government, which will be led by incumbent Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, will take the oath of office in interim Parliament on Saturday.

According to sources, the leaders have agreed to form a 26-member Cabinet in which the Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal (UML), and CPN (Maoists) will have six Ministers each. The Nepali Congress (D) will have four Ministers and the rest of the Ministers will be from the fringe coalition partners.

After a gruelling debate, the parties finally agreed not to have anyone as the Deputy Prime Minister in the interim government. The CPN (Maoists) had claimed the post arguing that it was necessary to reflect the present power balance. But the Nepali Congress vehemently opposed it.

Nepali Congress will keep, among others, three major Ministries — Defence, Home and Finance — in the interim government.

The spokesperson and chief negotiator of the Maoists, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, will lead the Maoist Ministers in the Cabinet. Mr. Mahara is likely to get Communications and Information portfolio. Dev Gurung, Hisila Yami, Matrika Yadav and Rup Lal Bishowkarma will be other Ministers from the CPN (Maoist).

Other parties are yet to name their candidates for the Cabinet.

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