Mr.Baburam Bhattarai to take over as Prime Minister of Nepal

UCPN (Maoist) Vice-Chairman Baburam Bhattarai will take over as Prime Minister of Nepal today. He was elected Prime Minister of the Himalayan nation on Sunday. Mr Bhattarai polled 340 votes to defeat his Nepali Congress rival Ram Chandra Poudel by 105 votes. Considered a moderate face in the Maoist party, 57 year-old India-educated Bhattarai said his government will make efforts to forge a national consensus on key issues.
The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has congratulated Mr Bhattarai on his election as Prime Minister of Nepal. Official sources said, Dr. Singh also conveyed his best wishes to him.