Race on for Nepal’s new prime minister

With indications emerging that Nepal Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal may resign within the next few days, a race is underway among contenders to fill up the post.

Updated on: Jun 18, 2010, 23:54:47 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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With indications emerging that Nepal Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal may resign within the next few days, a race is underway among contenders to fill up the post.

The three major parties — ruling Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) and opposition Maoists are involved in a tussle for power as part of a three-point deal signed on May 28.

Contenders have started vying for the PM’s chair with those in Nepali Congress and Maoist camps emerging as likely successor to CPN (UML)’s Madhav Kumar Nepal.

A fight has begun between camps of Nepali Congress leader Ram Chandra Poudel and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba with both staking their claims to the post.

A race is underway in the Maoist camp as well. With chances of Pushpa Kamal Dahal reaching the post getting slimmer, there is debate on who should occupy the PM’s chair if the party heads the next government. The most acceptable candidate seems Vice-Chairman Baburam Bhattarai. But on Friday he indicated that he may not stake claim for the PM’s post.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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