NEPAL: In a significant political shift, KP Sharma Oli, the chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), has been appointed as Nepal's new Prime Minister. This decision came after the incumbent Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, failed to pass a crucial floor test in the parliament.

India'S Prime Minister Narendra Modi meanwhile congratulated K P Sharma Oli on becoming Nepal's Prime Minister. Modi expressed his eagerness to collaborate closely with Oli to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between India and Nepal. Oli, who leads Nepal’s largest communist party, takes over from Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Oath Ceremony Scheduled
President Ram Chandra Paudel is set to administer the oath of office to KP Sharma Oli and the new cabinet members on Monday morning, marking a new chapter in Nepalese politics.

Oli's Bid for Prime Ministership
Late on Friday night, KP Sharma Oli staked his claim to the Prime Ministership with the backing of Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba. Oli submitted the signatures of 165 members of the House of Representatives (HoR)—77 from his party and 88 from the NC—under Article 76-2 of the Constitution, demonstrating his majority support to form the government.

Prachanda's Loss of Confidence
Pushpa Kamal Dahal, 69, the chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre (CPN-MC), faced the trust vote after CPN-UML withdrew its support from his government. This withdrawal followed a power-sharing agreement between the CPN-UML and the largest party in the House, the Nepali Congress.

Prachanda received only 63 votes in the 275-member parliament, with 194 votes against him. To retain his position, he needed at least 138 votes, a target he fell short of significantly.

The Road Ahead for KP Sharma Oli
As KP Sharma Oli takes the helm, he faces the challenge of leading a coalition government and addressing the pressing issues facing Nepal. His return to the Prime Ministership comes with high expectations from his supporters and the need for stability and effective governance in the country.

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