KP Oli takes oath as Nepal PM
KATHMANDU: A day after getting elected to his post, Nepal’s new Prime Minister, Khadga Prasad Oli, took charge as the Himalayan nation’s 38th head of government on Monday.
The 63-year-old chairman of Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) was administered oath of office by President Ram Baran Yadav at a function held in Shital Niwas, the official residence of the President.
A team of seven ministers including those from Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (Nepal) and Madhesi Peoples’ Rights Forum (Democratic) were also administered oath during the ceremony.
They included deputy prime ministers, Bijay Gachchadar, chairman of MPRF (D) and Kamal Thapa, chief of the right-wing RPP (N). Five other ministers were also sworn-in.
Another deputy prime minister from UCPN (M) and other ministers from CPN (UML) and those who supported Oli in Sunday’s election are expected to be included in the cabinet soon.
Nepali Congress, which was part of the earlier coalition headed by chairman Sushil Koirala, whom Oli defeated in Sunday’s election, has decided to remain in opposition.
Earlier Indian ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae met the new prime minister at his residence in Bhaktapur to convey New Delhi’s best wishes on his election and a successful tenure. Oli stated the Nepal-India is important and mutually beneficial to both neighbours. He said he is looking forward to visit India soon.