Koirala 'dynasty' in Nepal politics
Following South Asian "dynastic trends", Nepal's Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Thursday appointed his only daughter, Sujata, a cabinet minister in the interim government, reports Anirban Roy.
Following South Asian "dynastic trends", Nepal's Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Thursday appointed his only daughter, Sujata, a cabinet minister in the interim government.
With this expansion, the interim cabinet now has 31 members. The new ministers are likely to be administered the oath of office on Friday.
Interestingly, Sujata Koirala's name has been announced as cabinet minister without portfolio, and, according to Nepali Congress leaders, she would look after the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
Married to a German citizen, Koirala's daughter has always been pampered in political circles, is reportedly responsible for major decisions. She is also a powerful member of the party's central working committee.
The nomination of Sujata Koirala as cabinet minister may create discord among both aspiring and senior Nepali Congress leaders. Her nomination to the interim parliament as a Nepali Congress MP in January 2007 was also criticized.
Ram Chandra Raya Yadav, Minister of State for General Administration, a member of Communist Party of Nepal (UML), has been promoted as cabinet minister. Two Maoist cadres--Padam Rai and Nabin BK have been inducted as the state ministers.
Meanwhile, Speaker Subash Chandra Nemwang claimed that the government would announce a new date for the CA elections on Friday. He informed that Koirala consulted some ministers on Thursday on the new election date.
