Justice Regmi was sworn in by President Ram Barn Yadav at a special function organised at Shital Niwas, the presidential office. Later Regmi administered the oath of office to his two ministers. He will induct nine more ministers as provided under the 11-point agreement the three major political parties and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) had reached on Wednesday after a marathon meeting to form an election government.

“The main objective of my government shall be to conduct free and fair Constituent Assembly elections at the earliest," Regmi said after assuming office. The election should be held by June 21 as per the 4-party accord though the date is not sacrosanct. If the situation warrants, the poll could be put off till mid-December but not beyond that date.

Over a dozen fringe political parties including CPN-Maoist led by hardliner leader Mohan Vaidya are opposed to the new setup. They conveyed their resentment to the President. How far they will be able to rally people to their cause is difficult to prognosis as of now. But this much can be said: the installation of Regmi as caretaker prime minister heralded the end to the nearly year-long political crisis dogging Nepal.

Last May, in what was dubbed as an impulsive action, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai dissolved the Constituent Assembly even as it was grappling with the drafting of the statute for the country. Bhattarai set elections for November last but the polls did not take place due to political infighting.

Conducting election is very important at this moment for Nepal. A fresh mandate and installation of a popular government will safeguard the nascent democracy in the country which was a Himalayan Kingdom for centuries. The first task of the new body will be achieving a consensus on the federal structure and forms of governance.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala said the formation of the national election government led by the Chief Justice would not only pave the way to resolve the current political stalemate but also help to strengthen democracy in the country. He made it clear that Nepali Congress will not compromise with any force on the principles of democracy and human rights.

Some 100 cadres belonging to CPN-Maoist, the breakaway faction of the UCPN-Maoist, staged a protest demonstration in front of the President’s office while swearing in of the new caretaker Prime Minister was in progress.

CPN-Maoist leader C P Gajurel lashed at foreign powers whom he did not name for the change in government. And declared, “We will not tolerate foreign intervention in our internal affairs”.

The major parties are now unanimous on setting up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for providing transitional justice, and giving one Colonel and two Lt Colonel Posts to the Maoist combatants integrated into the Nepal Army. They have also agreed on updating voters’ list before the Constituent Assembly elections and resolve issues relating to citizenship certificate distribution.