Among the ministers who give the king a bad name is Minister for Physical Planning and Works Jagat Gauchan, an ex-convict accused in 1985 of a conspiracy to kill journalist Padam Thakurati (seen with wound in his head, inset). Gauchan (circled in red) was found guilty and is seen being taken away to prison to serve a two-year jail sentence. Gauchan's appointment has created an uproar, with visiting US ex-senator Tom Daschle saying last week: "There should be no place in this government for ex-convicts." Two other ministers in the present council, Home Minister Dan Bahadur Shahi and Assistant Minister for Education Senate Shrestha, were both embroiled in a fertiliser scandal.