Kathmandu: Newly appointed Prime Minister Balendra Shah has taken the oath of office and secrecy before President Ramchandra Paudel.
At a special programme held at the Office of the President today, President Paudel administered the oath to Prime Minister Shah. Earlier this morning, Paudel had appointed Shah as Prime Minister in accordance with Article 76(1) of the Constitution of Nepal.
Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Sushila Karki, Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal, former prime ministers, chiefs of constitutional bodies, high-ranking government officials, security chiefs, and members of the diplomatic community were present at the swearing-in ceremony.
For the first time in the country, the Prime Minister’s swearing-in ceremony was conducted reflecting Vedic-Sanatan traditions. During the ceremony, seven conch shells were blown, 108 batuks recited mantras for peace and well-being, and 108 Buddhist monks led auspicious readings.
On Thursday, Shah, a senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), was unanimously elected as the leader of the party’s parliamentary faction.
