Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka ‘Prachanda’ was on Sunday all set to make a comeback as Prime Minister of Nepal, a week after the Nepali Congress and Madhes-based parties pledged to throw their weight behind him.
The resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli earlier in the day paved the way for Prachanda to become the 39th Prime Minister of the Himalayan nation.
Also Read: KP Oli Resigns as Nepal PM, 90 Minutes Before No Confidence Vote
He got the coveted post in 2008 for the first time when the Maoists became the largest party in the Constituent Assembly but the stint did not last beyond one-and-half years.
Though the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) had moved a no-confidence vote against Oli, which was due for continued discussion followed by a vote thereon in Parliament on Sunday, Oli announced his resignation.
The single largest party, the Nepali Congress has already extended its support for Prachanda and signed an agreement that the former Maoist leader will lead the government for the first nine months.
Thereafter, Prachanda will hand over the leadership to Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba.
As per the agreement, Prachanda will hold local elections that have not been held for the last 20 years, while Deuba will hold elections to the provincial assemblies and Parliament during the remaining nine months.
Prachanda has secured the support of the NC and other small parties so that it is easy for him to ensure a majority votes to install the new government.
We will try our best to install the government based on consensus but it seems difficult. So after the expiry of the seven-day deadline, we will stake claim to form the party on the basis of a majority.Ramesh Lekhak, Nepali Congress Leader
Out of 298 seats required to form the government, the emerging alliance can garner the support of 331 lawmakers if Madhes-based parties under the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha vote in favour of Prachanda.
A day after pulling out of the government, the NC last Wednesday officially endorsed the seven-point deal reached between Dahal and NC President Deuba on government formation.
The Madhes-based political parties – though decided on toppling the Oli-led government – have not yet made up their mind to join the new government under Prachanda.
(With IANS inputs)
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