Kathmandu, 27 March: At the Presidential Office, Shital Niwas, President Ram Chandra Paudel is scheduled to administer the oath of office to RSP senior leader Balen Shah as Prime Minister this afternoon.
The swearing-in ceremony has been set for 12:34 PM. Shah will assume office at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar at 2:15 PM.
The largest party in the House of Representatives, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has unanimously selected its senior leader Balen Shah as the leader of its parliamentary party.
A central committee meeting held on Thursday at the party’s central office in Chamat took the decision, along with amending the parliamentary party statute. Prior to the House of Representatives elections held on Falgun 21, there had been an agreement that Shah would become the parliamentary party leader and Prime Minister.
In line with that agreement, the central committee amended the parliamentary party statute by removing existing legal obstacles (Clause 80) and exercised its authority to make the revision. The proposal put forward by party chairman Rabi Lamichhane was unanimously endorsed by the committee. Following Shah’s selection, Lamichhane extended his congratulations and best wishes to him as the next Prime Minister.
Lamichhane said, “On behalf of the parliamentary party, I would like to extend heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for success to senior leader Shah.” After his remarks, the parliamentary party meeting approved the decision collectively by ringing bells.
With Shah now selected as parliamentary party leader, preparations are underway for his oath-taking as Prime Minister. At 12:34 PM on Friday, at the Presidential Residence, Shital Niwas, President Ram Chandra Paudel is scheduled to administer the oath of office to Shah in accordance with Article 76(1) of the Constitution of Nepal.
Alongside the swearing-in, discussions and consultations are ongoing among Chairman Lamichhane, senior leader Shah, vice-chairmen Dol Prasad Aryal (DP Aryal) and Swarnim Wagle regarding the expansion of the Council of Ministers. The new government is expected to be formed with a smaller cabinet of around 15 to 18 members, focusing on good governance and efficiency.
During Shah’s oath ceremony, preparations include traditional Vedic-Sanatan rituals, with 108 young priests chanting blessings, 16 Buddhist monks reciting prayers, and conch shells being blown seven times. The RSP has stated that the new government’s main focus will be on ensuring good governance, and ministers will be selected based on expertise and experience.
Discussions are also underway regarding the selection of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the chief whip, and other key positions following the formation of the government.
