Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday stepped down from his post, honouring the agreement reached with the ruling partner Nepali Congress (NC) before forming the coalition government.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday stepped down from his post, honouring the agreement reached with the ruling partner Nepali Congress (NC) before forming the coalition government.

In a televised address to the nation from his office in Singha Durbar, Dahal announced his resignation ending what he called 'a tradition of aggression and anguish when it came to giving up power' in Nepali politics. "I have made a vow to end a long drought of morality in Nepali politics," said Dahal.

Along with holding the first phase of long overdue local elections in a peaceful and impartial manner, Dahal highlighted the achievements of his tenure including ending the perennial problem of power cuts, signing agreement on One Belt One Road (OBOR) with China, progress in Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track Road, Postal Highway, Melamchi Drinking Water Project.

In his 40-minute address, Dahal said that he took the leadership at a time when there were doubts that load shedding would not come to an end and local level elections would not be possible. He expressed his happiness that the government under his leadership became successful in less than 10-month long tenure.

 Saying that the first phase of local level poll was held successfully with the support of general public across the nation, Dahal said that preparations for the second phase of local polls slated for June 14 has almost been completed.

He hoped that the second phase of elections would be held in a free and fair manner. The Maoist Centre Chairman said that the elections have strengthened sovereignty and freedom in the country. “The successful conduction of first phase of local elections has preserved democracy and took it to each and every ward,” he said. “It is the victory of federal republican and the entire country no matter which party won the elections held in three provinces on May 14,” Dahal further said.  

Thanking the general public for taking part and security personal for providing security during the elections, he said that people have become rulers of themselves. “I feel proud that I was part of all these achievements,” he said in his address. 

 On OBOR signing

“Government of Nepal, during my leadership, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the framework agreement regarding China’s One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR), marking Nepal’s official move to become part of Beijing’s ambitious plan to revive ancient Silk Road trade routes,” he said.

On resolving power crisis

“Earlier the people were bearing the brunt of load shedding for up to 18 hours a day, life was hard and chaotic. People have heaved a sigh of relief after the end of load shedding. The reforms in energy sector has not only addressed the power crisis but also pushed the country towards energy exports. Load-shedding has become a history."

 KTM-Tarai Fast Track Road

"The construction of much touted Kathmandu Tarai Fast Tract road project has been ensured. Nepal Army has been given the responsibility to construct the project and I will be laying foundation stone within a few days."

 Nepal Investment Summit

"This government has successfully organised historic Nepal Investment Summit. A total of around 13.51 billion of foreign investment was pledged in the summit."

Dahal’s second stint as PM 

In August last year, Dahal, who is also the chairman of CPN (Maoist Centre), had reached an understanding with the Nepali Congress that he would step down from PM's post and hand over the government leadership to NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba after nine months.

Dahal was elected as the 39^th prime minister of the country for the second time after forging alliance with the Nepali Congress on August 3, 2016.

Dahal became Prime Minister for the first time in August 2008 after his party emerged as the largest political party from the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections in the same year.

After the then President Ram Baran Yadav turned down the Cabinet decision to remove the then army chief Rookmangud Katawal and ordered Katawal to remain in the office, Dahal resigned from the top post of government on May 4, 2009.

Dahal had defeated NC leader Deuba with a wide margin eight years ago.