Maoists join Nepal Cabinet, end stalemate
KATHMANDU: Nepal Prime Minister Jhalnath Khanal included four Maoists in his cabinet on Friday, ending we-eks of uncertainty over whether the former rebels would join his government or not. Khanal, who was elected Prime Minister a month ago after a seven-month political stalemate with the help of former Maoist rebels, administered the oath of office and secrecy to four Maoists at the presidential residence, Shital Niwas, in Kathmandu.
Disagreements over the distribution of ministerial portfolios had delayed the formation of Khanal's cabinet.
Krishna Bahadur Mahara was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Information.
Top Bahadur Rayamajhi was appointed Minister for Physical Planning and Works, Barsha Man Pun was appointed Minister for Peace and Reconstruction and Khadga Bahadur Bishwokarma was made the country's tourism minister.
"Our party has joined the government. The main objective of the country is to write the constitution in time and to finalise the peace process. It is the government's main objective to create a consensus, keeping these two points in focus,'' a foreign news agency quouted Deputy Prime Minister Mahara, as saying.
He added: "The next step is, we had entered into a seven-point deal with the government, which has become controversial. Despite that we are committed to create a consensus with the two priorities in mind.'' The government has until May 28 to finish drafting a new Constitution and resolve the fate of thousands of former Maoist soldiers who have been confined to camps since the end of the war. In 2006, a peace deal ended the war between Maoists and the then-royal government in which more than 16,000 people were killed.
Disagreements over the distribution of ministerial portfolios had delayed the formation of Khanal's cabinet.
Krishna Bahadur Mahara was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Information.
Top Bahadur Rayamajhi was appointed Minister for Physical Planning and Works, Barsha Man Pun was appointed Minister for Peace and Reconstruction and Khadga Bahadur Bishwokarma was made the country's tourism minister.
"Our party has joined the government. The main objective of the country is to write the constitution in time and to finalise the peace process. It is the government's main objective to create a consensus, keeping these two points in focus,'' a foreign news agency quouted Deputy Prime Minister Mahara, as saying.
He added: "The next step is, we had entered into a seven-point deal with the government, which has become controversial. Despite that we are committed to create a consensus with the two priorities in mind.'' The government has until May 28 to finish drafting a new Constitution and resolve the fate of thousands of former Maoist soldiers who have been confined to camps since the end of the war. In 2006, a peace deal ended the war between Maoists and the then-royal government in which more than 16,000 people were killed.
(source:the times of india)
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