KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office and secrecy to newly-appointed Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at the President’s Office, Shital Niwas on Monday afternoon.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new prime minister and ministers was attended by various political leaders, diplomats, security officials, and high-level government officials, among others.

Also the Chairman of the Maoist Centre, the newly-appointed Prime Minister Dahal garnered the support of 169 members of the House of Representatives.

Prachanda has garnered the support of 169 MPs from political parties, including CPN-UML, Maoist Centre, Rastriya Swatantra Party Nepal, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Janamat Party, Nagarik Unmukti Party and Janata Samajwadi Party, and three independent Members of Parliament.

Likewise, President Bhandari also administered the oath of office and secrecy to Deputy Prime Ministers, including Bishnu Poudel, Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Rabi Lamichhane.

Poudel is also the Finance Minister, Shrestha Foreign MInister and Lamichhane Home Minister.