KATHMANDU: Harka Sampang, chair of the Shram Sanskriti Party, has pledged to support the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in reaching a two-thirds majority in Parliament if the party works for the country’s benefit.
Speaking to journalists after arriving in Kathmandu from Dharan on Tuesday for the swearing-in of members of the House of Representatives, Sampang said, “Why would RSP need a two-thirds majority? If it’s for good work, we will help them achieve it. Right now, we don’t have a mandate to join the government. Since the public has not given us a mandate to run the government, we will stay in the opposition. But if RSP performs well, we will support them to reach two-thirds.”
RSP currently holds 182 seats in the Parliament. To reach a two-thirds majority, it needs two more members. In Myagdi, Mahabir Pun, who won as an independent, has been supported by RSP. With his support, only one more member is required. If the Shram Sanskriti Party, which has won three direct and four proportional seats, backs RSP, achieving a two-thirds majority will become easier.
Sampang also stated that Rabi Lamichhane, not Balendra Shah, should become the Prime Minister. “Rabi is the one who can speak. He should be the Prime Minister. We need a Prime Minister who can answer questions from the opposition,” he said.
He further explained that he did not get a public mandate to become Prime Minister.
“It’s not just me; every leader has said they want to be Prime Minister. But the public didn’t choose us, so we couldn’t assume the post. Now, we will sit in the opposition and monitor carefully. The people have given us a mandate to raise questions,” Sampang added.
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