Protocol row settled; UML ministers to be sworn in Friday

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has agreed to give second place to UML's Bam Dev Gautam in cabinet hierarchy, ending the protocol dispute going on for a week now.

A meeting between PM Dahal and UML general secretary Jhala Nath Khanal on Thursday arrived at the understanding.

"The protocol issue has been resolved. Gautam will be in the second position," the UML general secretary told reporters after the meeting held at the CPN-M's parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar.

Khanal said the six UML ministers would be sworn in on Friday and that there wouldn't be reconsideration over the selection of ministers.

UML had refused to join the government at the eleventh hour after Gautam, who will lead the party's team, was denied second position in the cabinet. Gautam, a former deputy prime minister, has been named as home minister of the Maoist-led government. nepalnews.com mk Aug 28 08

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