KATHMANDU: Addressing the nation, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has announced his resignation from the premiership to prove the "dearth of politicians' standard of morality wrong".

In a 29-minute televised address from Singhadarbar, PM Dahal said that he would go to the President's Office  to tender his resignation today itself, after the completion of the address.

PM Dahal added that he has decided to resign from the premiership as per the "gentleman agreement" that was reached with the Nepali Congress before the formation of the coalition government in August last year.

In his speech, the PM highlighted the developments and achievements made by his coalition government in the areas of health, social, education, energy, reconstruction and economy among others.

Reminiscing the bleak situation in the country when he was elected as the 39th Prime Minister, Dahal praised his government for being able to clear the doubt about ending the 20-hour long load shedding, holding the local level elections, improving the economic growth rate and condition of earthquake victims and strengthening the bilateral relations with neighbouring countries India and China.

Praising his 295-day long tenure, Dahal highlighted his exemplary step to successfully conclude the first phase of local level elections in Provinces 3, 4 and 6. He also hoped for successful and peaceful conclusion of the second phase of civic polls in 41 districts of Province number 1,2,5, and 7 on June 14.

"People have directly chosen their own Singhadarbar now. They have become their own ruler," he stated adding "This is also a historic step towards women leadership and empowerment."

Dahal said his government was able to forge consensus with the Madhes-centric parties for the second phase of local elections by adding 22 local bodies in the Tarai districts.

PM Dahal said his government has achieved a significant 7.5 per cent economic growth in the fiscal year.

The outgoing Prime minister also highlighted about the campaign to end the load shedding for the beginning of the 'new era of light'. "The end of load shedding has not only lightened the nation; it has also lightened the inner self. Nepal is also planning to export the electricity, stated Dahal.

He also talked about the significant progress made towards conclusion of peace process and the compensation provided to the victims of Tarai-Madhes protest.

Dahal, sarcastically answering the question that former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had asked while stepping down from the premiership, stated his government has signed in China's ambitious 'One Belt One Road' Project, and handed over the construction of fast track to Nepal Army.

PM also reiterated his government proposed satellite cities in Kathmandu and construction of mega-cities in 13 districts. He also proposed the establishment of agriculture campus in all seven provinces.

Similarly, the government has also brought many reforms in the health sectors, he claimed. "The government has been able to manage at least two doctors in every health centres and provided free medicine service in every local health facility and donation of one lakh for the treatment of life-threatening diseases including the heart disease, cancer, Parkinson, Alzheimer's, head injury, liver-related ailment among others from the government's side."

PM Dahal also said the departmental hospitals of Nepal Army and Nepal Police would also be opened for people for the treatment.

Meanwhile, the government also thanked the political parties for their support and hoped for their cooperation for the new government that would be led by Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba. Dahal would act as caretaker PM before Deuba takes the rein.

The main opposition party CPN-UML had requested Pushpa Kamal Dahal to resign only after completion of second-phase of local level elections slated for June 14.

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