Jhalanath Kanal, sworn in as new PM of Nepal

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Khatmandu: Jhalanath Khanal, senior leader of the CPN (UML) leader was sworn-in as the 34th Prime Minister of Nepal in Kathmandu yesterday afternoon. President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new Prime Minister at a ceremony at Rashtapati Bhavan.

All India Radio has reported that no other member of cabinet could be sworn-in, following a dispute over power sharing in the new government between the CPN (UML) and the Maoists.

Though Mr. Khanal had said he would immediately start with a small cabinet, he could not announce the new cabinet due to dispute among the CPN(UML) and the Unified CPN(Maoist) over key portfolios including the Home, Finance and Defence.

The eight-member taskforce formed two days ago to discuss power sharing could not settle the dispute and ended their discussions inconclusively. With the Nepali Congress deciding to sit in opposition, Khanal's government would have a tough time resolving key issues including the peace process and contentious issues in the new constitution with less than less than four months left to promulgate a new constitution by May 28, reports All India Radio correspondent from Khatmandu.  

Analysts say that the initial problems that Khanal has faced on forming even a small cabinet due to dispute over power sharing indicates challenges that lay ahead for the Khanal-led government in the days ahead.