KATHMANDU: Nepal’s parliament elected Communist party leader Khadga Prasad Oli the new prime minister on Sunday, thrusting him into the centre of daunting challenges, from ethnic protests over the new constitution that has also upset vital neighbor India to rebuilding from April’s devastating earthquake.

Oli received 338 votes from the 597-member chamber, Parliament speaker Subash Nemwang announced. Oli defeated his predecessor Sushil Koirala, who received 249 votes.

Oli, 63, is generally popular in Nepal and has a reputation for being an outspoken leader who is not afraid to criticise.

Some describe him with the phrase, “Oli ko goli”, which means, “When Oli speaks he fires” (a bullet).

He had previously served as deputy prime minister and as a minister in previous governments.

He suffers from a kidney illness and has had to make trips abroad for treatment to India and Thailand.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2015

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