KP Sharma Oli was on Thursday sworn in as Nepal’s Prime Minister for the second time, weeks after his left alliance with CPN Maoist swept the historic parliamentary polls, kindling hopes for much-needed political stability in the Himalayan nation.
President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office and secrecy to 65-year-old Oli and two other ministers — both from the CPN-UMl — at a function held at President’s Office, Shital Niwas, in Maharajgunj.
Oli is the 41st PM of Nepal. Earlier, there were reports that leaders from the CPN Maoist, another member of the left Alliance, would also join the Cabinet. According to sources close to the Maoist party, the Maoist leaders did not take oath after their demand for the portfolio of the Deputy PM was turned down by Oli. It is learnt CPN-UMl general secretary Ishwor Pokharel was aspiring for the post of deputy Prime Minister in the new Cabinet.
UMl leaders lal Babu Pandit and Thum Maya Thapa have been given the portfolios of Minister for Population and Environment, Minister for Women and Children respectively. Oli’s party CPN-UMl secured 121 seats in 275-member Parliament and became the largest party. Nepali Congress has 63 seats while CPN-Maoist Centre secured 53 seats.