Veteran Communist leader K P Sharma Oli was today sworn in as Nepal’s 38th Prime Minister, a day after he was elected in Parliament with support from smaller parties.

Oli, 63, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by President Ram Baran Yadav at his official residence here. Prime Minister Oli has formed a small cabinet incorporating two Deputy Prime Ministers and five ministers.

In voting held in Parliament yesterday, Communist Party of Nepal – Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) chairman Oli garnered 338 votes, 39 more than the 299 that he needed to be elected as prime minister while Koirala, the former Nepal Congress Prime Minister could secure only 249 votes. A total of 587 members cast their votes. Lawmakers were not allowed to stay neutral during the voting.

While Oli was backed by UCPN-Maoist, Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Democratic and some fringe parties; four Madhes parties in the United Democratic Madhesi Front had supported NC leader Koirala who himself became prime minister with the support from CPN-UML in 2014.

Our Hearty Congratulations to the new Nepal Prime Minister!