KATHMANDU: Newly elected Nepal Bar Association President Sher Bahadur KC said he would take special initiatives to mend ties between the bar and the bench.

Speaking with journalists at the Reporters' Club today, the new leader of Nepali lawyers revealed his priorities.

"Earlier, the Bar was passive," he said, "Now, we will take initiatives to revitalise it. We will make our new programmes public."

The new programmes would include giving a full shape to the Judicial Council and solving the recent controversy regarding nomination of the justices at the Supreme Court among others, he added.

Meanwhile, KC, who was elected to the post representing the 'democratic' panel, said he would rid the NBA of political divisions and undue external influences.

"We were politically divided till the day of election yesterday. But we should make the Bar free of it. It is everyone's responsibility."

Newly elected NBA Vice-Presidents Usha Pathak Malla and Motiraj Gautam said the NBA would work to promote professional interests and capacities of lawyers.

General Secretary Khamma Bahadur Khati said the Bar would immediately begin dialogues with the bench to mend ties.