Sher Bahadur Deuba Becomes Nepal’s PM for 5th Time

Kathmandu: Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba on Tuesday became the country’s Prime Minister for the fifth time after the Supreme Court's intervention.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari appointed the Opposition leader as the prime minister in accordance with Article 76(5) of the Constitution.

This is the fifth time that 75-year-old Deuba is returning to power as the Prime Minister of Nepal. 

His appointment is in line with the ruling issued by the Supreme Court on Monday to make way for his claim to premiership, replacing incumbent K P Sharma Oli. 

"In line with the apex court's verdict, President Bhandari named Deuba as the Prime Minister,” Bhesh Raj Adhikary, personal secretary of President Bhandari, told reporters. 

“A programme to administer the oath of office and secrecy to Deuba will be held at 6:00 PM in the evening," Adhikary said. 

Previously, Deuba served as Nepal's Prime Minister four times from June 2017–February 2018, June 2004–February 2005, July 2001–October 2002 and September 1995–March 1997.

Deuba is required to seek a vote of confidence from the House within 30 days of his appointment as the Prime Minister, as per the constitutional provisions.

The Supreme Court on Monday overturned Prime Minister Oli’s May 21 decision to dissolve the House of Representatives and ordered the appointment of Deuba as prime minister. 

The five-member Constitutional Bench led by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana said that Oli’s claim to the post of prime minister was unconstitutional. 

Reinstating the House yet again -- the court had restored the House earlier on February 23 after Oli dissolved it on December 20 -- the bench has ordered to make arrangements for holding the House meeting by 5 p.m on July 18.

In its order, the constitutional bench said President Bhandari’s decision to reject Deuba’s claim to form a new government was unconstitutional.