Date:29/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/29/stories/2008082955081600.htm

International

CPN (UML) Ministers to be sworn in today

Prerana Marasini

KATHMANDU: Six Ministers from the CPN (UML), who were not sworn in on August 22 following a dispute over ministerial hierarchy, would be sworn in on Friday.

CPN (UML) general-secretary Jhalanath Khanal, after meeting Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) on Thursday, said Mr. Prachanda responded positively to the CPN (UML)'s demand that a CPN (UML) candidate be given the second position in the ministerial hierarchy. "Our leaders will take the oath tomorrow [Friday]," he said.

The dispute over ministerial hierarchy arose when Finance Minister Baburam Bhattarai assumed the second position in the government. Following this, the CPN (UML)'s ministerial nominees did not take the oath and threatened to pull out of the alliance. They demanded that CPN (UML) leader Bam Dev Gautam be nominated as Home Minister and be given the second position in the Cabinet.