Newly appointed Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is going to be sworn in at Narayanhiti Royal Palace this morning. He is then going to administer the oath of office to his cabinet members at his office at Singha Durbar.

According to reports, the cabinet is boycotting the Rajparishad and is not going to be sworn in the royal Privy Council for the first time.

The Seven-Party Alliance, which is forming the government following the historic people’s movement, has called for immediate scrapping of the Rajparishad.

Though Koirala was scheduled to be sworn in Friday, he could not do so on Friday due to his ill health. Koirala also could not attend the first session of the parliament due to his ill health.

Deputy speaker Chitra Lekha Yadav, read out the sankalpa prastab (memorandum) sent by PM Koirala, to go for election to constituent assembly in the first session of the parliament as Koirala could not attend it due to frail health.

Prime Minister Koirala, CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and others leaders of the alliance will address the parliament today.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader Pashupati Shumshere Rana is also expected to speak on the proposal to hold constituent assembly poll before it is passed on Monday.

However, the government is yet to fully arrive at the modalities of passing not only the agenda related to the constituent assembly but also other bills which may be moved to amend other laws which impede functioning of the government.

The government is also expected to come up with its policy paper in the meantime, with sources claiming the session may not last more than two weeks.

The parties are yet to decide about the division of portfolios. nepalnews.com pb Apr 30 06