Kathmandu, Aug 29 (IANS): Nepal's newly-elected Prime Minister, Baburam Bhattarai, was sworn in Monday by President Ram Baran Yadav.

The former finance minister and India-educated scholar unveiled a tiny cabinet with just one leader from the bloc of five parties whose crucial support saw him win the election Sunday.

Bijay Kumar Gaccheder was sworn in as deputy prime minister as well as home minister. In the past, the powerful home ministry had remained in the hands of the Maoists.

Maoist leaders said the other ministries will be decided after consultations within the party as well as with allies. The bloc of five parties from the Terai plains has been promised 11 ministries.

The second and third largest parties, the Nepali Congress and communists, said they would sit in opposition but attended the swearing-in.

Bhattarai became Nepal's 35th prime minister after polling 340 votes Sunday, defeating Nepali Congress candidate Ram Chandra Poudel who obtained 235 votes.