Chief Justice Regmi sworn as new PM

KATHMANDU, MAR 14 -

Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi took oath of office and secrecy at the President's office in Shital Niwas on Thursday.

President Ram Baran Yadav administered the oath of office and secrecy to Regmi amid a special function this morning.

UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala, outgoing Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, heads of diplomatic missions, security agencies and senior government officials, were present at the programme.

Regmi was elected the 36th prime minister of Nepal.

Leaders of the major political parties signed a 11-point agreement on Wednesday night to form an election government headed by Chief Justice Regmi. The non-partisan government has been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting new CA elections by June 21, 2013.

As per the deal signed, CJ-led government would get a second term till December 15, 2013 if it fails to hold the elections due to 'any technical or untoward situation'. It stated that Regmi would be relieved of the top executive post once a new prime minister is picked, though it is silent on whether the second term would also be the CJ's last one.

Meanwhile, 22 political parties, including the Mohan Baidhya -led CPN-Maoist, protest ed outside Sheetal Niwas this morning against the formation of election government under the sitting chief justice.

The protest ors also clashed with police while chanting slogans against the chief justice-led government. Some of the demonstrators were detained by police during the scuffle.

Source: The Kathmandu Post