Dec 26,2022:CPN-Maoist Centre chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” was appointed Nepal’s new Prime Minister on Sunday, December 25. This was after the former guerrilla leader dramatically broke away from the five-party ruling alliance led by the Nepali Congress, ending the political uncertainty after last month’s general elections failed to produce a clear winner. Prachanda, the 68-year-old leader of former communist rebels, was appointed as the Prime Minister of Nepal, according to a statement issued by the President’s Office here.
The President had called any member of the House of Representatives, who can garner a majority with support from two or more parties as stipulated in the Article 76 clause 2 of the Constitution to submit a claim for the Prime Minister’s post by 5 pm on Sunday. Prachanda submitted the claim before the deadline given by the President expired. The swearing-in ceremony of the newly-appointed Prime Minister will take place at 4 pm on Monday, according to the President’s Office.
Prachanda along with his rival-turned ally CPN-UML chairman Oli, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) president Ravi Lamichhane, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) chief Rajendra Lingden among other top leaders earlier went to the President’s Office with a proposal to appoint him as the new Prime Minister, sources said. Prachanda has the support of 169 lawmakers in the 275-member House of Representatives.
Prachanda, who is being appointed as the Prime Minister of Nepal for the third time, is seen as pro-China. He has, in the past, said a new understanding with India needed to be developed on the basis of “changed scenario” in Nepal and after addressing all outstanding issues, like revision of the 1950 Friendship Treaty and resolving Kalapani and Susta border disputes.
