Maoist chairman Prachanda elected PM

The Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) - Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has been elected as the new prime minister of federal democratic republic of Nepal.

The Constituent Assembly (CA) chairman Subash Nemwang announced in the CA meeting Friday evening that Prachanda has been elected prime minister of republic Nepal by winning a majority votes.

Prachanda, teacher-turned-politician, garnered the 464 out of 577 votes in the prime ministerial electron where as his opponent Sher Bahadaur Deuba, senior leader of Nepali Congress, accumulated 113 out of 551 votes in his favour.

As there were two nominees for the post, the new prime minister was elected based on a vote division process. 

According to reports, CPN-UML, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, Terai-Madhes Democratic Party , Nepal Sadbhawana Party, CPN-Masal, CPN-United,  Rastriya Janamukti Party, Nepa: Rastriya Party,  Nepal Janata Dal,  Nepal Pariwar Dal, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party- Nepal, among others supported the chairman Prachanda. While People’s Front Nepal and Nepal Workers and Peasants Party boycotted the election.

The election for the post of prime minister had taken place at the International Convention Center, New Baneshwor, Kathmandu.

On Sunday, the President Dr. Rambaran Yadav had called on the CA to take initiatives for forming a new government through election as the parties failed to fourge consensus to form new government.

Article 38 (2) of the Interim Constitution provides that the Prime Minister shall be elected through a majority of two-thirds of the members of the legislature-parliament, if consensus cannot be reached.

USA congratulates Nepali people on election of PM Dahal

Meanwhile, the United States of America issuing a press release Friday evening has congratulated Nepali people and their Constituent Assembly on the election of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

“We hope that election of the Prime Minister removes the last barrier to speedy formation of a government, constructive action on key issues facing Nepal, and a start on the difficult but necessary task of drafting Nepal's new constitution,” said the release.

The United States will continue its strong support for peace, democracy, human rights and development in Nepal, said the release adding: “We look forward to working with the new government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal and building upon the historic ties between our peoples.”

The CPN-Maoist is still blacklisted by the USA even after signing the peace deal with mainstream political parties in 2006 ending decade-long insurgency.