K.P. Sharma Oli took oath of office on Thursday.APNiranjan Shrestha  

K.P. Sharma Oli was on Thursday sworn in as Nepal’s Prime Minister for the second time, weeks after his Left alliance with the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) swept the parliamentary polls.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Oli and two other Ministers, both from the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML), at a function held at President’s Office.

According to sources, Maoist leaders did not take oath after their demand for the portfolio of the Deputy Prime Minister was turned down by Mr. Oli. It is learnt that CPN-UML general secretary Ishwor Pokharel was aspiring for the post of Deputy Prime Minister in the new Cabinet. Lal Babu Pandit and Thum Maya Thapa were given the portfolios of Minister for Population and Environment and Minister for Women and Children respectively.

The CPN-UML secured 121 seats in the 275-member Parliament and became the largest party. The Nepali Congress won 63 seats while the CPN-Maoist secured 53 seats.