A day after the Supreme Court of Nepal ruled in his favor and gave him an opportunity to form the government, Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba became the Prime minister of Nepal. According to The Himalayan Times, President Bidiya Devi Bhandari appointed Sher Bahadur as prime minister of the country. Deuba is required to prove majority in the house within 30 days, as per constitutional provision.
However, reports suggest that Deuba will not take oaths until the Office of the President revises the notice of appointment and includes the Article under which Deuba is being made prime minister. The Supreme Court has specifically mentioned in its order that Deuba must be appointed prime minister in line with Article 76 (5) of the constitution.
It is the fifth time that Sher Bahadur is set to take the helm of the Himalayan country as he earlier held the chair from June 2017 to February 2018, June 2004 to February2005, July 2001 to October 2002 and September1995 to March 1997.
It needs to be mentioned that Nepal has been in the grip of political crisis since December last year when President Bhandari dissolved the 257-member House on recommendation of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli after he got entangled in the power struggle within the ruling Nepal Communist Party.
However, the Supreme Court ordered the reinstatement of the House on February 23. K P Sharma Oli yet again recommended dissolvement of the House of representative on May 21 after he failed to prove majority on 10th May.
At that time, Sher Bahadur Deuba had claimed that he had the backing of 149 members.
This has prompted Deuba and others to approach the Apex Court. The constitution bench said in its order that President Bhandari’s decision to reject the Deuba’s claim to form a government was unconstitutional.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s election commission has postponed the parliamentary election scheduled for November 12 and 19 in view of new development. It remains to be seen whether this arrangement will end the political crisis of Nepal or the Himalayan country plunges into another round of elections.
