Almost all newspapers published in Kathmandu on Wednesday have published reports related to the election of Bidya Devi Bhandari as the President of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. Controversy in the Supreme Court related to the Chief Justice’s age has also received the attention of editors. Similarly, other social, economic and political stories have also made it to the front pages. Here’s a summary of main stories in the press today:
Important
Who will swear-in the President?
President Bidya Devi Bhandari is to begin her second term in office on Wednesday. According to constitutional provisions, Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli has to administer oath of office and secrecy to the President. But following a dispute in the judiciary, questions have been raised over the ‘legality’ of such a swearing-in ceremony. Annapurna Post says, a serious question has been raised about the legitimacy of Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli, who is supposed to swear-in the President. The paper reports that Chief Justice Parajuli met Prime Minister Oli in Balwatar on Tuesday morning for breakfast meeting.
Chief Justice Parajuli now has three options: go on leave, face impeachment or administer the oath of office to the new President. Kantipur, meanwhile, says that the new President faces a conundrum: to take her oath from a controversial figure, who authority has been challenged by his own colleagues. The paper says that members of the ruling coalition have suggested that the CJ either go on leave or tender his resignation.
President Bhandari’s challenges
Nagarik reports that President Bhandari will face a host of challenges during her second term in office. The paper says that Bhandari, who is a former UML leader, has been accused of remaining aligned with the party. She now needs to take the initiative to take a balanced approach towards all political parties. The paper says that leaders within the UML are also not happy with her performance. They have accused her of trying to influence party decisions and running ‘camps’ within the party.
Ignored
Questions raised by the US-Bangla crash
Naya Patrika says several questions have emerged following the US-Bangla crash in Kathmandu on Monday. The paper says, the pilot’s state of mind, Kathmandu’s runway, the role of ATC, and the state of the ill-fated plane all demand closer inspection. It says that the crash should serve as a lesson for authorities working in aviation.
Meanwhile, Karobar says Canadian plane manufacturer Bombardier has also said it will investigate the crash. Bangladesh’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has also said it will support investigation into the incident. The US Bangla plane was the second Bombardier in two days to meet with an accident. Less than 24 hours before the US Bangla crash, another Bombardier had met with an accident in Iran.
Doctors working overtime to carry out autopsies
Annapurna Post reports that doctors at Nepal’s TU Teaching Hospital are working round the clock to carry out autopsies of people who died in the crash on Monday. The paper says that a team led by Dr Harihar Wosti has been working 24×7 to finish the autopsies. Naya Patrika says it will take more than a week before the final autopsy reports become ready. The paper reports that only 11 of the 51 bodies have been examined so far.
Interesting
MPs’ pay finalised
File: Nepal’s Parliament buildingNepal Samacharpatra says that the government has decided the pay and perks for MPs who hold key positions in Parliament. According to the paper, the Speaker and Chairman of the House will receive Rs 67,320 as salary and Rs 28,275 as rent allowance. Similarly, the leader of the Opposition, deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairman, ruling party leader and chief whips shall draw Rs 60,900 as salary and Rs 25,600 as housing allowance.
