CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has been elected the new prime minister of Nepal with support from the UPCN (Maoist) and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, becoming the first executive head of the country after the promulgation of the new constitution.

Oli defeated outgoing PM and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala securing 338 votes against 287 in Parliament where 587 lawmakers participated in the voting process. Out of the 597 parliamentarians, a candidate needed at least 299 votes to be elected as the PM.

Oli won with a huge margin after Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik, which was hitting the streets against the state delineation, decided to back him.

The third largest party, Maoists, and the fourth largest Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal were the proposer and seconder of Oli.

In addition, the RPP, Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party, CPN-ML, Rastriya Janamorcha, CPN (United), Nepal Pariwar Dal and five other fringe parties also voted for Oli. However, three parties and an independent lawmaker who seconded him while filing the candidacy on Saturday withdrew their support in favour of Koirala.

In an open voting process, a majority of lawmakers from Madhes-based parties voted for Koirala alleging that the Oli-led alliance was regressive with no respect for their demands.

Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal, Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party, Sadbhawana Party and Rastriya Madhes Samajbadi Party, among others, stood for Koirala.

Oli, a leader of the Jhapa communist movement, is the sixth PM from a communist party and the fourth from the UML. President Ram Baran Yadav will swear him in amid a ceremony at Sheetal Niwas at 1pm on Monday.

President Yadav on Friday had called for a majoritarian government as per Article 298 (3) of the Constitution of Nepal after the parties failed to install a consensus government within the seven days provided earlier.

Talking to media after his election, Oli expressed his commitment to work with all the parties to resolve the problems facing the country. He added that implementation of the new constitution would be his top priority.

“I will take a lead in resolving problems including those in Tarai-Madhes and the transit points on the southern border,” he said. “I expect support from all the parties.” Stating that he was well aware of the challenges ahead, Oli pledged to work to let the people feel visible changes.

The parties voting for him said their support was to a strong government that would be necessary to implement the newly promulgated constitution. They also claimed that their attempt was to form a government with maximum consensus.

Speaking in Parliament

in Oli’s support, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that he proposed the UML leader for the post as per the spirit of the 16-point agreement.

“There was a gentlemen’s agreement to support Oli as the PM after constitution promulgation,” he said, accusing the NC of violating the understanding. He said that three major parties had to be in government to conduct the upcoming elections.

MJF-Loktantrik Chairman Bijay Gachhadar said his party supported Oli after his commitment to resolving the current problems. He added that only a government of maximum consensus would take the country on a progressive path by implementing an amended constitution. He vowed to struggle even in the government to safeguard the rights of Tharu, Madhesi and other marginalised communities.

Outgoing PM Koirala said he would provide full support to the new PM. Talking to the media, he said his defeat was simply an outcome of a democratic exercise. “It’s the beauty of a multi-party democracy,” he said, claiming that he had not violated the 16-point deal reached before speeding up constitution-making.