By NNN-Xinhua,
Kathmandu : Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday conveyed his felicitations and congratulations to Prachanda on his election of the Prime Minister of Nepal.
“On behalf of the Government and people of India, and on my own behalf, please accept my felicitations and congratulations on your election as Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal,” the Indian Prime Minister said, according to a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
“I look forward to working with you to further develop the bonds of good neighborliness that unite our peoples and nations, and to deepen the friendly relations that so happily exist between our two countries. We in south Asia share linked destinies, and are engaged in a common struggle against poverty, disease and hunger. India will continue to stand by the people and government of Nepal in consolidating your peaceful democratic transition and in your developmental efforts.”
“I also look forward to meeting with you in the near future and would be happy to receive you in India as our guest at your earliest convenience,” Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in the statement.
Prachanda, Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (CPN-M), on Friday evening was elected the first prime minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal by the Constituent Assembly (CA).
Prachanda won 464 votes and was elected prime minister, CA speaker Subash Nemwang declared at around 7:30 p.m. local time (1345 GMT).
As there are only 594 members in the CA at the moment, the contestant for the post of Prime Minister needs to garner a simple majority of 298 votes.