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Journalism of Courage
Two years after he sacked the elected government of Sher Bahadur Deuba dubbing him as ‘‘incompetent’’ to run the country in the face of Maoist problem, Nepal’s King Gyanendra today reappointed him as Prime Minister and invested on him ‘‘executive rights’’.
The King made the announcement after five political parties, spearheading agitation against the monarchy, rejected his offer to name a leader to replace the palace-appointed Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, who resigned on May 7. A palace statement appointing Deuba said that he would be ‘‘invested with executive rights’’ and would organise elections by mid-April next year, a promise previously made by the King.
The appointment of 62 year-old Deuba, who belongs to Nepali Congress (Democratic), came two days before the visit of Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh to the Kingdom, his first after assuming the office.
Deuba was dismissed as Prime Minister by King Gyanendra on October 4, 2002 who described him as ‘‘incompetent’’ when he recommended the King to postpone the date for the general election due to the Maoist threats.
The statement further said that the King has asked Deuba to recommend the Council of Ministers for initiating the process of holding general election by April 2005 and restore peace in the country. Nepali Congress reacted sharply to Deuba’s appointment saying he is no better than the outgoing royal hand-picked Prime Minister. The King must, first of all, hand over the state authority and sovereign power to the people. He must appoint a PM at the recommendation of the people’s representative, senior Nepali Congress leader Ramchandra Poudyal said. — (PTI)
