King Gyanendra Thursday administered the oath of office to Sher Bahadur Deuba. This is Deuba’s third time as the prime minister.

Crown Prince Paras, Speaker Taranath Ranabhat and Chief Justice Govinda Bahadur Shrestha were present on the occasion. The reinstatement comes 20 months after the King’s abrupt dismissal of the Deuba government on grounds of “incompetence”.

Deuba said his appointment was the reinstatement of a democratically elected prime minister. He added that he is committed to hold elections within 2061 BS, maintain peace in the country through dialogue and initiate economic reforms in the country.

Only the Rastriya Prajatantra Party and his own Nepali Congress (Democratic) party have welcomed Deuba’s appointment.

There has been no official statement from the five agitating parties. Nepali Congress and UML will give official statements after the meetings of their respective central committees. However, individual members of the CPN-UML have extended a guarded congratulation to Deuba.