In a surprising turn of events, Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, widely known as Prachanda, lost the vote of confidence in Parliament. This happened just 10 days after his coalition partner, the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), withdrew their support and announced their intention to lead the government themselves.
During the vote on Friday, only 63 members of the 275-member House of Representatives supported Prachanda’s motion, while a significant 194 members opposed it, and one member chose to abstain. This vote marked the end of Prachanda’s third term as Prime Minister, which began in December 2022. His tenure has been characterized by frequent changes in coalition partners. Although he survived four previous votes of confidence, this time he was not able to secure enough support.
Following the announcement of Prachanda’s defeat by Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire, there were scenes of celebration as members congratulated K P Sharma Oli, the chairman of CPN-UML. Oli, who is backed by the Nepali Congress, is now set to become the new Prime Minister of Nepal.
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Oli and the Nepali Congress chief Sher Bahadur Deuba are expected to meet with President Ram Chandra Poudel. They will present the signatures of MPs from their two parties to stake a claim for Oli to be appointed as the new Prime Minister. Together, the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress command the support of 167 members in the House.
Once the new government is formed, it will have to win a vote of confidence in Parliament within 30 days. This will be crucial for ensuring the stability of the new administration. The upcoming period will be critical as the new coalition works to secure the necessary support and navigate the political landscape in Nepal.
Prachanda’s departure marks a significant shift in Nepalese politics. The country will now be looking to K P Sharma Oli to provide stable leadership and address the various challenges facing the nation.
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