Communist leader Oli chosen as new Nepal PM

KATHMANDU: Nepal's parliament Sunday elected communist leader KP Sharma Oli as the new prime minister, tasked with unifying the quake-hit country after a new constitution triggered deadly protests, a border blockade and a nationwide fuel shortage.
Oli, of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), defeated by 338 votes to 249 former premier Sushil Koirala, who had stepped down from the top job as required by the constitution adopted on Sept 20.
"Today I have been elected as the prime minister. I take this as an opportunity, an honour and a challenge," Oli told reporters as he left parliament, where his victory was greeted by cheers from lawmakers.
Oli is tasked with quelling protests over the new constitution and ending the blockade which has led to national fuel rationing, as well as pushing ahead with reconstruction after the earthquake in April killed thousands.
He is known as a moderate conservative within his party despite its communist leanings, and vowed Sunday to work with other parties to develop the impoverished country.
"My request is that all the parties must work together and move forward in consensus," Oli told lawmakers in an address before the vote.
"There are groups that are dissatisfied with the constitution. We have to address their demands," said Oli.
"Our country has been devastated by the earthquake. I will accelerate the reconstruction process," the 63-year-old also said.
The current government is accused of stalling on rebuilding after the quake killed nearly 8,900 people and left more than half a million homeless.
The constitution is aimed at bolstering the Himalayan country's transformation to a peaceful democracy after decades of political instability and a civil war.
After years of bickering about the document, the quake spurred the main political parties into agreement on it.
But the constitution, the first to be drawn up by elected representatives, triggered a blockade by protesters at a vital border checkpoint, cutting off fuel supplies from sole provider India and sparking a nationwide shortage.
Protesters from Nepal's southern plains are incensed about the planned division of the country into several federal provinces.
More than 40 people have been killed in clashes between police and the protesters representing ethnic minorities, who say the new federal structure will leave them under-represented in parliament.
The historically marginalised groups include the Madhesi and Tharu minorities, who mainly inhabit the southern plains, along the border with India.
The constitution is the final stage in a peace process that began when Maoist fighters laid down their arms in 2006 after a decade-long insurgency aimed at abolishing the monarchy and creating a more equal society.
Enormous challenges
During his speech to parliament, Koirala, from the main Nepali Congress party, pledged to work with Oli if he lost the vote.
But political commentator Ajaya Bhadra Khanal said the tough-talking Oli faces enormous challenges in the coming months.
"On a personal level, he has developed antagonism with many people, including Madhesi leaders. It will be a challenge for him to negotiate within that circle and bring all political forces to work together," Khanal told AFP.
Oli will also have to mend ties with giant influential neighbour India, which is worried about instability on the border and has expressed concerns over the constitution.
Oli has accused India of being behind the blockade that started on Sept 24 to protest against the charter.
As trucks remain stuck at the frontier, Nepal has been forced to ration supplies nationwide as long lines form at petrol stations.
India has denied involvement in the blockade and instead urged all parties to enter talks to resolve the crisis.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a tweet, said he had spoken to Oli and congratulated him on his victory.
Nepal's economy — already weak before the disaster — was hit hard by the quake. It is forecast to grow around 3% this fiscal year, the lowest level in eight years. — AFP