Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala was on Sunday sworn-in as prime minister of the Himalayan kingdom by King Gyanendra.
Shirish B Pradhan
KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala was on Sunday sworn-in as prime minister of the Himalayan kingdom by King Gyanendra.
The oath-taking ceremony of 84-year-old Koirala took place at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace in the morning.
The King administered the oath of office to the Nepali Congress leader, whose swearing-in was delayed due to ill-health. He was earlier scheduled to be sworn-in on Friday.
Crown Prince Paras was also present on the occasion, the the state-run Radio Nepal reported.
Royal Council Chairman Parashu Narayan Chaudhari was not invited at the oath-taking ceremony, according to sources close to Koirala.
The new prime minister will take charge of the office from Sunday.
The King had appointed Koirala prime minister after the opposition Seven-Party Alliance unanimously proposed his name for the top post following over two weeks of protest to demand restoration of democracy.
Koirala, leading an all-party government, is expected to constitute a 15-member Cabinet later in the day, according to the party sources.
K P Sharma Oli, senior politburo member of the Nepal Communist Party-UML is likely to be included as deputy prime minister, his party sources said.
Others likely to be included in the Koirala Cabinet are Nepali Congress General Secretary Ramchandra Poudyal, its Central Member Ramsharan Mahat, Nepali Congress (Democratic) acting president Gopal Man Shrestha and its General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi.
Koirala will also attend the Parliament session in the afternoon and is expected to address the meeting.
The discussion on a motion, tabled a day before by Deputy Speaker Chitraleha Yadav on Koirala's behalf, proposing elections to the Constituent Assembly will also start from Sunday.
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