KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari designated Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ishwor Pokharel as Acting Prime Minister in the absence of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, according to a press release issued by the Office of the President yesterday.

PM Oli left for Singapore today for a follow up health check-up. The PM is expected to return after 10 to 15 days from the island nation. The PM is on kidney enhancement therapy since he underwent kidney transplant in 2007.