Gujral Named Next Leader Of India

The president named the ruling coalition’s candidate as India’s next prime minister Sunday, with the support of the opposition party that brought down the last premier.

President Shankar Dayal Sharma will administer the oath of office today to Inder Kumar Gujral, making him India’s third prime minister within 11 months.

The president set a parliamentary vote of confidence for Tuesday to test whether Gujral can muster the legislative majority he needs to govern. The opposition Congress Party pledged its crucial support on Sunday, and Gujral should pass the test.

The Congress Party forced out Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda earlier this month when it withdrew its support from his governing United Front, blaming him for rising prices and unemployment.

On Saturday, the United Front picked Gujral, foreign minister under Gowda, as its choice for the next prime minister.

The president agreed to let Gujral try to form a new government, saying he wanted to avoid new elections less than a year after the last ones.

Gujral told reporters he will continue the economic reform policies of Gowda’s government.