CPN (MC) Chairman Dahal becomes Nepal's new prime minister

CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been appointed as the new prime minister of Nepal on Sunday. President Bidya Devi Bhandari appointed Dahal as the prime minister as per Article 76 (2) of the Constitution. President Bhandari’s press advisor Tika Dhakal said that preparations are underway to swear him in as the prime minister at 4 pm on Monday.

This is Dahal’s third stint as the country’s chief executive.

Various six political parties had submitted a letter to the President saying that CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Dahal be appointed as the prime minister. CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairman Rajendra Lingden, Rastriya Swatantra party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane, Janamat Party Chairman Chandrakanta Raut, Nagarik Unmukti Party Chairperson Ranjita Shrestha had signed the letter. Earlier, President Bhandari had called upon the political parties representing the House of Representatives to claim the post of prime minister as per Article 76(2) of the Constitution by 5 pm today. Article 76 (2) stipulates that in cases where no party has a clear majority in the House of Representatives, the president shall appoint as prime minister a member of the House of Representatives who can command majority with the support of two or more parties represented in the HoR. Despite being appointed as the prime minister with a clear majority, Dahal will now have to win the trust vote in the 275-member Parliament within 30 days as per Article 76 (4) of the Constitution. Dahal must prove that he has the confidence of the Parliament. If he fails, a new process of government formation will begin. Dahal joined hands with the CPN-UML by quitting the coalition to form yet another left alliance after Nepali Congress President Deuba refused to give him the post of prime minister. Dahal will lead the government for the first-half of the government’s term, followed by UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli. The Maoist Center and UML have also agreed to share the post of parliament speaker on a rotational basis. UML will hold the post of President for a full five-year term. Earlier on Saturday, CPN (Maoist Center) Deputy General Secretary Barshaman Pun had warned Deuba that they would leave the coalition if they did not get the leadership of the government. The Nepali Congress leaders, however, had been piling pressure on the party President to not hand over the post of prime minister to Dahal. Dahal was appointed as the prime minister for the first time in 2008 after his party emerged as the largest party. He became the prime minister for the second time in 2016. Meanwhile, President Bhandari congratulated Dahal for being appointed as the prime minister and wished for his successful tenure.