Oli elected 38th Prime Minister; vows to work genuinely to fulfill people’s aspiration

Kathmandu / October 11: CPN-UML chairperson Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli (KP Sharma Oli) has been elected as the 38th Prime Minister of the country defeating President of Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala, who is also the outgoing Prime Minister.

KP Sharma Oli secured 338 of the 587 votes cast, giving him a majority. Koirala, however, got 249 only votes in his support.

Oli elected as new PM after the third and fourth largest political parties in the parliament Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and Rastriya Prajapantra Party-Nepal respectively along with other fringe parties threw their weight behind Oli’s candidacy.

Born in the eastern district of Terathum in 1952, he has been involved in politics for over three decades. He was elected as parliament member from Jhapa-6 in 2013 parliamentary election.

In his address to the parliament before being elected for the top post of the Country Oli said he will genuinely work to fulfill people’s aspiration and work to address ongoing stalemate of the country.

There is as misconception about me, he said, that I am anti-Tarai Madhesh and narrow minded. “I will prove all such misconception wrong through my activities.” Saying he is vying for the premiership not just for the sake of record, Oli said he wants to do something tangible. He further stressed on the need for addressing the concerns raised by different communities in different parts of the country, use of all resources for the development, reconstruction of Nepal in the wake of devastating earthquake and good governance.

He also said that he will work closely with Nepali Congress even if its breached past agreement. “Even if you did not withdraw the candidacy also,” Oli said in a conciliatory tone, “No stones would be left unturned from my side to seek support. For national unity, development and democracy, I believe Nepali Congress too will lend support (to me).”

Addressing the house session before the election of the Prime Minister, NC candidate Sushil Koirala said his candidacy was not meant for power. Stressing on peace, stability, democracy and development, Koirala and said his candidacy was for that. According to him, none should take his candidacy otherwise.

Oli is considered as rigid leader in the issue of nationality and sharp critics of India during the recent blockade imposed by India, which has been affecting Nepal ahead of two major festivals. It is said that India imposed blockade to check Oli from getting top post of the executive but it did not succeed. According to media reports, India promised to provide huge amount of money to the lawmakers for voting in favour of Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala. India also tried to split UCPN-Maoist, the third largest party of the country. Earlier, vice chairperson of UCPN-Maoist Dr. Baburam Bhattarai left the party at the tune of India. Oli, who is considered a leader with clean image, is welcomed at the top post with acute shortage of petroleum products and agitation in tarai. These are the big challenges in front of him. Oli as 38th Prime Minister of the country need to mobilize all resources and mechanism of the country for providing immediate relief to the people by supplying needful petroleum products as the major festivals of the country are approaching in couple of days. He needs to airlift petroleum products to meet immediate needs and seek India’s alternative in the long run.

Rather than going with all their unnecessary demands, Oli should hold dialogue with tarai based political parties to fulfil their genuine demands and expose their wrongdoings at the public. Although he is becoming the Prime Minister at a critical time but this is suitable time to strengthen the tie of national unity as the while country was united against India’s interference in the political affairs of the country and standing to the side of government to encourage it not to accept unnecessary demands of India and stand at its own. Many people have seen Oli’s victory as the victory of Nepali people due to his stand in the national issues but it is the challenge for him to maintain the same and maintain good relation with southern neighbour.

He should pay attention while forming the new government as he should give the feeling that the new government is pro-people rather than other external forces. Oli, who has the power of convincing his opponents is believed to be aware of all these issues and move ahead accordingly.