Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated Nepal’s newly elected government, as the Himalayan nation tries to reestablish itself after widespread generation-long protests.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s commitment to work together with Nepal in establishing peace.
In a post on Twitter, Prime Minister Modi said, “Hearty congratulations to the people and government of Nepal for the successful and peaceful conduct of the elections. It is a matter of immense pleasure to see our Nepalese brothers and sisters exercising their democratic rights so enthusiastically. This historic achievement is a proud moment in Nepal’s democratic journey. As a close friend and neighbour, India is committed to working with the people of Nepal and their new government to scale new heights of peace, progress and prosperity.”
The Election Commission has announced that former rapper and Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) has won the parliamentary elections from Jhapa-5, defeating his arch rival, former Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
With this, Balen has confirmed his appointment to the lower house of Parliament and thus strengthened his claim for the post of Prime Minister.
According to the Election Commission, Balen got 68,348 votes while former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli trailed with 18,734 votes.
With this victory, the senior leader of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is set to become the next Prime Minister as the party secured a comfortable majority in the elections with a landslide victory.
The RSP, formed about four years ago, has won 59 seats under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system and maintained its lead in 62 constituencies, according to the Election Commission results. RSP is on track to gain absolute majority. Party leaders have repeatedly assured the public that there is no internal dispute regarding the post of Prime Minister.
DP Aryal, the party’s top vice-president, said voters supported the party because of its top leaders, including Rabi Lamichhane and Balen Shah, who will be parliamentary leader and future prime minister.
The combined number of direct and proportional seats exceeds the majority threshold of 138 seats in the 275-member House of Representatives.