Balen Shah Appointed as the 43rd Prime Minister of Nepal

Kathmandu. President Ram Chandra Paudel has appointed Balendra Shah (Balen), a senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and a member of the House of Representatives, to the post of Prime Minister.

A statement issued from the President's Office, Maharajgunj, reads: "The Right Honorable President Mr. Ram Chandra Paudel has appointed the Honorable Member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Balendra Shah, to the post of Prime Minister of Nepal in accordance with Clause (1) of Article 76 of the Constitution of Nepal." He has become the 43rd Prime Minister of Nepal. Preparations for the expansion of the Council of Ministers are also underway following Shah's appointment.

He is scheduled to take the oath of office and secrecy today, Chaitra 13, 2082, at 12:34 PM. President Paudel will administer the oath to him during a ceremony at Shital Niwas. 

He was appointed Prime Minister as the leader of the party holding a majority in the House of Representatives according to Article 76 (1) of the Constitution. This is the first time a Prime Minister has been appointed using this specific clause since the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal 2072.