Prime Minister Sushil Koirala administrates the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kripasur Sherpa on Friday. Photo: RSSCPN (UML) on Friday recommended Kripasur Sherpa as new Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
Sherpa will succeed Deepak Chandra Amatya in the Sushil Koirala government. Koirala administered the oath of office and secrecy to Sherpa Friday.
Sherpa is the third UML leader to become Tourism Minister in the Koirala government. Just one year ago, Amatya had replaced Bhim Acharya as Tourism Minister.
Acharya is a relative of UML leader Jhal Nath Khanal. UML had replaced Acharya with Amatya, Khanal's former personal secretary.
Amatya's father, Sushil Chandra Amatya, was a member of the first Constituent Assembly, but he vacated his seat for UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Amatya was forced to step down after 'he failed to perform well' in the government. He submitted his resignation on Thursday.
UML leader Pradip Gyawali said Amatya was recalled from the government because his performance was 'weak' as Tourism Minister. "The party assessed that he was not capable of leading a ministry," said Gyawali.
UML leader Ghanshyam Bhusal said that Amatya was recalled because 'there was criticism against his lack of competence within the party'.
Sherpa, too, does not have experience of leading a ministry. He rose to prominence only after winning the last Constituent Assembly (CA) elections.