Kathmandu, Aug 3 (IANS): CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda was on Wednesday elected the 39th Prime Minister of Nepal, Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar said.

Out of a total 573 votes cast, Prachanda received 363 votes in favour with 210 voting against him, Gharti Magar announced in Parliament.

Prachanda was backed by the Nepali Congress -- the largest party in the House, constituents of the United Democratic Madhesi Front and the Federal Alliance and several fringe parties, The Himalayan Times reported.

A total 210 lawmakers including those of CPN-UML and Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal cast their vote against the Maoist leader.

Though Dahal was the only contender for the top executive position, he had to go through the voting process as the Constitution requires that the Prime Minister prove the support of the majority lawmakers in the House.

A total of 298 votes were needed for Dahal to be elected Prime Minister from among the existing 595 members of the House, The Himalayan Times reported.

It would be Prachanda's second stint as Prime Minister since his first ascension to the post eight years ago. He had led the government after the first Constituent Assembly elections, from August 18, 2008 to May 25, 2009. 

Prachanda's first tenure as Prime Minister lasted for 280 days. He had resigned on May 4, 2009 after the then President Ram Baran Yadav rejected a Cabinet decision to remove the then Nepal Army Chief General Rookmangud Katawal and ordered Katawal to stay put in office.

According to The Himalayan Times, Prachanda worked as a teacher before joining politics. He was elected a central member of the CPN Masal in 1984 through the fifth General Convention of the party, politburo member in 1985, and General Secretary in 1989.

Prachanda was elected General Secretary of the CPN United Centre, which later changed into CPN Maoist, in 1991.