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The Kathmandu Post

Publication Date : 14-03-2013

Nepal's Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi has  been sworn in as the Chairman of the Interim Election Government at the President's office in Kathmandu on Thursday.

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

Chief Justice Remi's appointment as the head of the interim government is equivalent to the prime minister's post. He has effectively become the 36th prime minister of Nepal.

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

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 Constituent Assembly 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 Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist, started protests on Thursday morning against the formation of the new government. The protestors also clashed with police, and some of the demonstrators were detained during the scuffle.