A new administration took charge of the government in Nepal this week as Sher Bahadur Deuba, 75, became the country’s prime minister for the fifth time following a historic decision by the Supreme Court on Monday that reinstated the Lower House of Parliament. For many, it is good riddance from former prime minister KP Sharma Oli who became increasingly autocratic and undemocratic. Deuba’s appointment came at a time when the Himalayan nation has been craving for political stability and strengthening constitutional democracy.  

In 1990, Deuba, the leader of the Nepali Congress, became the prime minister for the first time at the age of 45. However, none of his four terms was smooth. This time, too, things aren’t much different. He is heading a coalition government of all opposition parties that became frustrated with Oli.   

Of the total 275 seats in parliament, the Nepali Congress, Deuba’s party, has just 63 seats. Other parties like the CPN-MC, headed by former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, supported his bid just to oust Oli from power.

Dahal and Oli--both were in the same party until a Supreme Court judgment nullified the merger of communist factions--headed a government together for almost three years. By the end of 2020, Dahal turned against Oli, accusing him of being undemocratic, autocratic, and consolidating power.

For months, parties opposed to Oli struggled to create a consensus to form a new government. In the end, Deuba emerged as a consensus candidate, not just to oust Oli but also to save the country’s constitutional democracy. In his last bid to stop Deuba, Oli, however, recommended dissolving the House--for the second time in the last six months.

Later, Deuba, with the support of 146 lawmakers, well above the majority mark, successfully got the parliament reinstated by the apex court, which also ordered the president to appoint him as the Prime Minister.

Baburam Bhattarai, former prime minister, said “We have created this new government after a lot of struggles and resistance and we are committed to overthrowing Oli’s dictatorship and anti-democratic moves.”

“The despotic elements cannot raise their heads anymore,” he was quoted as saying by The Print. Assuring that the new government has the majority, he said, “We are all united and we will get the numbers hopefully. We will have a majority and a stable government.”