Prime Minister KP Oli has formed a core team comprising various professionals to assist his work in the government.

Oli on Thursday appointed Hari Krishna Karki as attorney general, who will serve as the chief legal advisor to the government. Incumbent President of Nepal Bar Association, Karki is also a senior advocate loyal to CPN-UML.

Likewise, Indra Bhandari has been appointed Oli’s chief personal secretary . Bhandari, chairman of the UML Mechi-Kathmandu  Zonal Alliance Committee, has been working as Oli’s personal secretary since 1995.   

Oli also appointed Pramod Dahal as his press advisor. Dahal, who was associated with the state-owned Radio Nepal, was recommended to the post by the party’s Publicity and Publication Department.

Other key advisor positions-political advisor and foreign policy advisor-are yet to be appointed.

Prime Minister Oli is considering appointing UML Secretary Pradeep Gyawali as his chief political advisor. Gyawali, who was sent to India to brief newly adopted constitution and political development in Nepal, is currently attending a function in China.

9 leaders named in HLPC

The government has named nine leaders of the coalition parties as the members of High-level Political Committee (HLPC).

The committee will be led by UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and its members are Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhala Nath Khanal and Bidhya Bhandari of UML, Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik and Kamal Thapa of Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, CP Mainali of CPN-ML, Chitra Bahadur KC of Rastriya Janamorcha Nepal’s Chitra Bahadur and KC and Narayan Man Bijukchhe of Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party.

The representatives from other smaller parties are yet to be decided.

The first meeting of the HLPC on Thursday urged PM Oli to initiate talks with the agitating parties. It has also suggested Oli to consult with Nepali Congress on the matter.

Based on the committee’s recommendation, PM Oli is preparing to write to the agitating parties, inviting them sit for talks. Pramod Dahal, press advisor to the prime minister, said the letter would be sent to the agitating parties on Friday.