Nepal got first female President

Kathmandu October  29- CPN (UML) Vice-chairman of UML Bidhya Devi Bhandari was elected the first female President of Republic Nepal after defeating Nepali Congress leader Kul Bahadur Gurung in the presidential election on Wednesday.

 

Bhandari’s victory has come 12 days after Onsari Gharti of UCPN (Maoist) became country’s first female Speaker.

 

 Out of 597 lawmakers, 549 votes were cast during the election held among the parliamentarians, 48 parliamentarians of Madhes-based parties were absent, while eight votes were invalid. The voting began at 11am and lasted until 2pm and Speaker Gharti announced the result at 5:15pm.

 

Bhandari, wife of UML’s charismatic leader late Madan Bhandari, got 327 votes to Gurung’s 214. “Bidhya Devi Bhandari has been elected to the post of Nepal’s president,” announced Speaker Gharti to loud cheers from parliamentarians.

 

The 54-year-old replaces incumbent President Ram Baran Yadav, who was elected the country’s first President in 2008 after the abolition of monarchy. She will take oath of office and secrecy on Thursday.

 

After her election as the head of state, Bhandari said she would play a leading role as per the constitutional provisions for the effective implementation of the new constitution. Speaking briefly to reporters, Bhandari pledged to facilitate in bringing the agitating parties on board. Source: TKP