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Nepal interim regime delayed

Ameet Dhakal

Differences between coalition allies

KATHMANDU: Nepal political parties failed to announce the interim Government on Saturday after last-minute differences cropped up between Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (UML).

The two major coalition partners could not agree on who should be the senior-most Cabinet member after the Prime Minister.

The UML claimed that its leader, Sahana Pradhan, who was to lead the UML team in the interim Government, should be number two in the Cabinet. But the Nepali Congress said its general secretary and former Speaker, Ram Chandra Poudel, should hold the position. The number two position in the Cabinet assumes significance in the current scheme of things due to Mr. Koirala's age and growing health concerns. Mr. Koirala, who is 85-year-old, suffers from chronic lungs and chest problems. It is for this very reason that the Nepali Congress wants its leader to succeed the Prime Minister in the Cabinet in case of any eventuality.

Sources said the UML finally agreed to give up its claim for the number two position in the Cabinet but said it would need a decision from the party's standing committee, which it has promised to do by Sunday morning.

The interim Government will be formed in the afternoon and Mr. Koirala will take the oath of office in Parliament before he leaves for India to attend the SAARC Summit.

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