KATHMANDU: Prime Minister (PM) Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda finds himself in the minority after the largest party in the ruling coalition, CPN-UML, withdrew its support.
Following a meeting with Prime Minister Dahal on Wednesday evening, UML ministers tendered their resignations, formalizing the party’s decision to withdraw its support to the government.
Last Monday night, UML agreed to power-sharing with the Nepali Congress (NC) and subsequently urged Prime Minister Dahal on Tuesday to facilitate the formation of a national consensus government, giving him a 24-hour ultimatum for a dignified exit.
With UML aligning with Nepali Congress, Prime Minister Dahal finds himself in a minority position, prompting calls from both parties for his resignation on moral grounds to facilitate a smooth transition to a new government, a sentiment echoed officially by party leaders.
According to UML leaders, this grace period was intended to allow the Prime Minister a graceful departure.
However, with no resignation forthcoming, UML ministers resigned en masse on Wednesday.
PM Dahal assumed office as Prime Minister on December 25, 2022, with the backing of 78 UML MPs.
Initially supported by UML, PM Later later aligned with Nepali Congress during the presidential election. He subsequently left Nepali Congress to join UML.
Now, with UML and Nepali Congress uniting against him, PM Dahal is clearly in the minority.
The Nepali Congress’s Central Working Committee meeting on Wednesday approved the power-sharing agreement with UML and called on Prime Minister Dahal to step aside.
Despite calls from both parties – Nepali Congress and UML — to resign, PM Dahal has declared his intention to seek a vote of confidence in Parliament.
In a Maoist Center meeting on Tuesday, he announced his plan to utilize the constitutionally provided 30-day period to secure a vote of confidence, which would mark his fifth attempt.
PM Dahal has secured a vote of confidence four times previously.
It should be noted that the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have been maneuvering to shift the balance of power, but their efforts to oust Prime Minister Dahal from government consensus remain unexecuted.
The two parties have yet to disclose their agreement publicly, even as they push for Prime Minister Dahal’s resignation following their decision to form a new government together.
Krishna Prasad Sitaula, a senior Nepali Congress leader and National Assembly parliamentary party leader, advocated for the Prime Minister’s ethical resignation, a sentiment shared by UML Vice Chairperson Asta Laxmi Shakya.
Despite mounting pressure, Prime Minister Dahal shows no inclination to resign, citing ongoing support from coalition partners and the presence of ministers in his government.
Prime Minister’s Press Adviser Gobinda Acharya asserted that the Constitution allows for a vote of confidence within 30 days, a procedure that has been communicated to President Ram Chandra Paudel. Acharya confidently predicts that the Prime Minister will secure the necessary support within the stipulated time frame.
Constitutional expert Dr. Bhimarjun Acharya stated that demands for the Prime Minister’s resignation do not align with constitutional principles.
“There is no question of the Prime Minister resigning,” Acharya emphasized, defending the constitutional process against any perceived violations.
He asserted that the Prime Minister would not take such a step, insisting that any deviation from constitutional procedures would undermine the integrity of the process.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Prime Minister reaffirmed this stance during a meeting with Rabi Lamichhane, Home Minister and Chairman of Rastriya Swatantra Paty (RSP).
RSP has not withdrawn its support to the government, with its ministers engaged in their duties.
With the Nepali Congress and UML holding a combined majority this time, PM Dahal lacks the support needed for a successful vote.
Nepali Congress holds 88 seats and UML 79, totaling 166 seats.
Absent a significant change, Prime Minister Dahal appears unlikely to secure a vote of confidence.
Dahal is eager to address Parliament, emphasizing that his stance against resignation should be duly recorded by the House.
Constitutional expert Dr. Bhimarjun Acharya stated that demands for the Prime Minister’s resignation do not align with constitutional principles.
“There is no justification for the Prime Minister’s resignation at this time,” he asserted.
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