Kathmandu, July 19 -- Five days after his appointment as prime minister, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba on Sunday evening won the vote of confidence in the reinstated House of Representatives, ensuring that he will lead the government for a year and a half-or until the periodic elections are held.

Deuba's confidence vote win also saves Parliament from dying an untimely death after two earlier assaults by the erstwhile prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, in December last year and May this year.

On Sunday evening, 165 lawmakers voted in favour of Deuba and 83 against. One lawmaker remained neutral. Only 249 lawmakers in the 271-strong lower house were present during voting.

"I hereby declare that the vote of confidence motion ta...