Kathmandu, September 28
Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki has appointed Ajaya Bhadra Khanal as her chief advisor.
Khanal, who has been a journalist for over two decades, is also a researcher. Khanal served as the editor-in-chief of The Himalayan Times from 2007 to 2014. After leaving journalism, Khanal showed interest in politics.
Khanal was a member of the seven member Sajha Party founded by journalist Rabindra Mishra. In addition to Khanal, the party's founding members included former secretary Kishor Thapa, Dr Saroj Dhital, engineer Suryaraj Acharya and advocates Om Prakash Aryal and Nirupama Yadav.
Khanal hails from a family with a political background. His father, Shribhadra Sharma Khanal, was the former general secretary of the Nepali Congress.
Ajaya Bhadra had recently been involved in a number of studies and research projects, in addition to politics.
He most recently worked as a research advisor at the Centre for Social Innovation and Foreign Policy (CESIF), which is led by former ambassador Vijayakanta Karna. The organisation has been conducting various studies on geopolitical issues.
Ajaya Bhadra previously served as editor-in-chief of Ukaalo.com Online. He was also the executive director of 'Nepal Transition to Peace' for the Asia Foundation. Similarly, Govinda Narayan Timalsina has been appointed as public relations advisor.
Minister for Communications, Information and Technology Jagadish Kharel announced that the Council of Ministers met today and appointed Ajaya Bhadra and Timalsina as two advisors to the prime minister. Timalsina is a founding member of the Bibeksheel Nepali Party.
