KATHMANDU, Dec 25: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has appointed CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal as new Prime Minister.
According to a press statement issued by the Office of President, Chairman Dahal was elected as new Prime Minister as per the Article 76(2) of the Constitution of Nepal. The oath of office and secrecy of new PM is scheduled for Monday.
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Chairman Dahal staked claim for the new government leadership with the support of CPN-UML, Rastriya Swatantra Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Janata Samajbadi Party, Janamat Party and Rastriya Unmukti Party.
As none of the political parties in the November 20 general elections secured requisite majority seats in parliament, President Bhandari had earlier served a week-long deadline for parties to stake claim for the new government leadership with the support of two or more than two parties. The deadline expired at 5pm today.
Dahal along with the top leaders of political parties that supported him had reached Shital Niwas to stake claim for the new government. Earlier today, Dahal had broken alliance with the NC-led ruling alliance.