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Many of the guests on the occasion asked each other why the two leaders failed to show up at the function. [break]
When contacted for comment, former Prime Minister Nepal said, "I have no comment." Oli was not available for comments.
Nepal skipped the tea party a day after Khanal expanded cabinet by inducting five ministers and seven state ministers from his own party. Nepal is reportedly not happy with the expansion as Khanal appointed most of the ministers close to him.
In the meantime, Koirala said that he could not attend the function because he had to go to see his brother who had an operation on Thursday. While NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba attended the tea party, leader Ram Chandra Paudel did not show up.
PM hopeful of constitution in new year
Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal has expressed hope that the country would get a new constitution and see the conclusion of the peace process in the year 2068 BS.
"This year must deliver peace and constitution. We should make 2068 BS a historic year by completing the constitution writing and peace process. My government is determined to move ahead to achieve these goals," the prime minister told media persons at a tea party on Thursday.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Vice-president Paramananda Jha, Chief Justice Ram Prasad Shrestha, Speaker Subas Nembang, bureaucrats, members of diplomatic community, politicians, party cadres, intellectuals and people from different walks of life attended the tea party.
The prime minister, who has been struggling to give final shape to his cabinet, took a few questions during the tea party. Excerpts:
There are concerns that you are not enjoying cooperation from your own party. What do you say?
I will resolve problems in my party and at the same time deal with problems related to other parties. I will work toward bringing as many parties as possible in the government. Each day of the year 2068 will be a day of progress.
You have not been able to give full shape to the cabinet. How long will it take for the cabinet to get full shape?
We should gradually move ahead to give full shape to the cabinet. We have been walking in a serpentine road that has many turns. We have to take steps very carefully. The cabinet will get a full shape gradually.
Who will get the home portfolio?
As you know, the Home Ministry is with the government of Nepal. As of now, the prime minister holds the home ministry´s portfolio. I am ready to move ahead by managing the home ministry as per necessity.
Why has there been no progress in the peace process since you became prime minister?
Peace process is moving ahead gradually. The peace process moves not only on a formal track, it advances through many informal ways as well. We have formed a taskforce [reference to a four-member taskforce to prepare integration and rehabilitation model]. The taskforce is working actively.
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