Nepal PM resigns to make way for ex-rival

Dahal, who led Maoist insurgency, is stepping aside after less than 10 months in office

Nepal’s Maoist prime minister resigned yesterday as part of a planned handover to a former political foe who will be the nation’s tenth leader since the end of the civil war in 2006.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who led the decade-long Maoist insurgency before entering politics, is stepping aside after less than 10 months in office.

He is expected to be succeeded by three-time former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who heads the largest party in the coalition government.

“I announce my resignation from the post of prime minister today, right now, with a pledge to continue being active for the upliftment of the country and the people as a politician, parliamentarian and a citizen,” Dahal said in a televised speech in which he catalogued his government’s achievements.