KATHMANDU: Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli, gearing up for a confidence vote next Sunday (July 21), has intensified talks with smaller political outfits in a bid to muster two-thirds support, despite allegations of strategic deception.
PM Oli, coordinating closely with the Parliament Secretariat ahead of the crucial parliamentary session, has ramped up negotiations with parties yet to pledge their backing.
Scheduled discussions include meetings with Ashok Rai’s Janata Samajwadi Party and JSP Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav to secure their votes of confidence.
Additionally, PM Oli aims to gain support from Janamat Party Chairman Dr. CK Raut, leveraging the backing of these groups to consolidate his position.
While Rai and Raut appear favorable towards Oli’s bid, Yadav remains aggrieved following internal rifts within his party.
Oli’s strategy reportedly includes efforts to sway Yadav’s support despite these tensions.
Bartaula emphasized the commitment to uphold constitutional principles and ensure bipartisan cooperation in amending the constitution, underscoring Prime Minister Oli’s ongoing dialogues with both opposition and smaller parties.
Meanwhile, Ashok Rai’s JSP inclusion in PM Oli’s cabinet stands as a potential risk factor.
Conversely, Yadav and Raut’s parties have yet to commit, with Raut’s Madhesh-centric influence potentially influencing regional dynamics, irrespective of central politics.
PM Oli faces the challenge of persuading Yadav amidst strained relations following Yadav’s absence from the Samajwadi Front’s recent meeting led by the Maoist Center.
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Prime Minister Oli faces reluctance from Yadav, who remains displeased over past party divisions during Dahal’s tenure as Prime Minister and is hesitant to immediately align with the opposition or support PM Oli’s vote of confidence.
Despite this, Prime Minister Oli is planning to engage in dialogue with Yadav, although sources close to him indicate he has no intention to endorse PM Oli’s leadership.
Currently, Prime Minister Oli is in discussions with Rajendra Lingden, Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).
The RPP has signaled potential support based on shared agendas with the Nepali Congress-UML alliance regarding constitutional amendments and federal structure reconsideration, yet their final decision remains undecided.
Additionally, the RPP is preparing to extend its support to PM Oli based on mutual interests in constitutional amendments.
Meanwhile, Mahesh Bartaula, the ruling party’s chief whip in Parliament, revealed that Prime Minister Oli is engaging with other political factions to secure votes for the confidence motion.
He expressed confidence that several parties will back the government’s agenda for development, prosperity, and effective governance.
Bartaula emphasized the commitment to uphold constitutional principles and ensure bipartisan cooperation in amending the constitution, underscoring Prime Minister Oli’s ongoing dialogues with both opposition and smaller parties.
Oli, commanding 78 seats with UML, needs support from 88 Nepali Congress MPs to secure a comfortable majority of 166 seats.
Adding 11 seats from smaller parties would push this tally to 177, nearing a two-thirds majority.
Constitutionally, a Prime Minister must receive a vote of confidence from Parliament within 30 days of appointment.
President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed UML President Oli as Prime Minister on July 14, and he took office on July 15.
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