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Prachanda’s stress on peace process

Prachanda during the swearing-in in Kathmandu on Monday.

KATHMANDU: The first Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda), took the oath of office and secrecy from President Ram Baran Yadav on Monday.

Mr. Prachanda took the oath “in the name of people” instead of “in the name of god.” Outgoing Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala was not present at the ceremony. Political leaders, diplomats, and journalists congratulated Mr. Prachanda after the ceremony. His father, Muktiram Dahal, told The Hindu he was very happy and proud as his son was elected Prime Minister. Nepali Congress (NC) leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, who contested the prime ministerial election against Mr. Prachanda, said he was happy about Mr. Prachanda’s win. Speaking from the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Prachanda said his first priority is to take the peace process to its logical conclusion. When asked about how he felt at the moment, he said: “It’s a historic moment; my mind is not yet able to describe it in words.”

Mr. Prachanda would have more security than any other Prime Minister in Nepal’s history — 150 Army personnel have been deployed to ensure his security against the earlier 80 personnel. In addition, the Armed Police Force and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would also guard him.

The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) central committee meeting on Monday decided to use the PLA to guard Mr. Prachanda. But this decision has not been appreciated by the Maoists’ allies, the CPN (UML) and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, and the NC.

After being invited by the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Mr. Prachanda would attend the closing ceremony of the Olympics. He is scheduled to leave for China on August 23. Earlier, China had invited Mr. Yadav to attend the Games’ opening ceremony.

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