Prachanda sworn-in as Nepal Prime Minister

Kathmandu, Aug 18 : Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias 'Prachanda' was sworn-in at a ceremony at Shital Niwas, the office of the President here today.

President Dr Ram Baran Yadav administered him oath of office and secrecy. He took oath in the name of the people of Nepal.

Prachanda attended his swearing-in ceremony wearing a western suit and Bhadgaule topi instead of the traditional 'national dress' Daura Suruwal and 'Nepali topi'.

The decision on his outfit was taken at a central committee meeting of Maoist party held at its parliamentary office in Singha Durbar.

Vice President Parmananda Jha, Constituent Assembly chairman Subas Nemwang and heads of foreign diplomatic missions were present during the ceremony.

Prachanda will shift to his official residence in Baluwatar later today

Prachanda won the prime ministerial election on Friday with the support of two other allies, the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML) and the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) by a huge majority in the election. He won 464 votes against his rival Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress, who got only 113 out of the 577 votes cast, Nepalnews reported.

ANI