KP Sharma Oli, considered by many to be a pro-China leader, was sworn in as Nepal's prime minister for a fourth term on Monday along with 21 cabinet ministers.

A petition challenging the appointment of KP Sharma Oli as the Prime Minister of Nepal was filed in the Supreme Court of the country. In a writ petition filed by three lawyers challenging the appointment made by the President of Nepal Ramchandra Paudel as unconstitutional.

Three lawyers — Deepak Adhikari, Khagendra Prasad Chapagai and Shailendra Kumar Gupta — filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court of Nepal seeking the annulment of KP Sharma Oli's prime ministership, officials said on Monday.

In their petition, the lawyers argued that if the government formed under Article 76 (2) fails the floor test in the House of Representatives, the President should call for the formation of a new government under Article 76 (3).

The Supreme Court of the country has fixed July 21 as the date for the preliminary hearing of the case.

Earlier in the day, KP Sharma Oli was sworn in as Nepal's prime minister for the fourth time, after President Paudel appointed the 72-year-old veteran leader to the country's top post.

Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) President Oli on Friday presented the signatures of 165 members of the House of Representatives to the President after former Prime Minister Kamal Dahal 'Prachand' lost the vote of confidence. house

On Friday night, Oli claimed to be the next prime minister with the support of NC president Sher Bahadur Deuba and submitted the signatures of 165 members of the House of Representatives (HoR) – 77 from his Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN). -UML) party and 88 of Nepali Congress. (NC).

CPN-Maoist Center Chairman Prachanda lost the vote of confidence in the HoR during the floor test.

Oli, considered by many to be a pro-China leader, took the oath of office and secrecy along with 21 cabinet ministers on Monday.

Last week, Deuba and Oli signed a seven-point agreement to form a new coalition government to replace Prachanda. The two leaders agreed that the remaining term of the Parliament would be shared alternately. As per the agreement in the first phase, Oli will be the Prime Minister for 18 months.

(with PTI input)