Nepal PM Dahal to shun inauguration programmes

Nepal's newly elected Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Saturday announced he will not take part in any inauguration ceremonies and programmes except a few.

"I had decided on this before becoming the PM," Dahal said, adding, "Few exceptions aside, I won't take part in inauguration ceremony or programmes."

Speaking at a programme organised in Banasthali, the Prime Minister said he would instead focus on result-oriented programmes. He said agendas like implementation of the constitution, reconstruction and economic reforms are on the priority list of his government, reported the Kathmandu Post.

The Communist Party of Nepal's (Maoist-Centre) chairman also claimed that his party would become the biggest party after unification among 10 Maoist parties.

Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal was on Thursday sworn in as Nepal's new Prime Minister, a day after being elected by lawmakers for the top post for the second time. He is the only communist leader to become the Prime Minister of the country twice.

He was the premier from 2008 to 2009 before a disagreement with the military over his attempt to sack the army chief brought his period in office to an early end.

Communist Party of Nepal's (Unified Marxist-Leninist) chairman K.P. Sharma Oli tendered his resignation as PM last month.

--IANS

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