Kathmandu: In a dramatic turn of events, Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, widely known as Prachanda, resigned from his post on Friday after failing to secure a vote of confidence in Parliament. This development marks the collapse of Prachanda’s government, which had been in power since December 25, 2022.
Prachanda’s Government Falls Short in Confidence Vote
According to the Kathmandu Post, Prachanda managed to garner the support of only 63 out of 275 Members of Parliament (MPs) during the floor test, while 138 MPs voted against him. To secure the vote of confidence, Prachanda needed at least 138 votes in his favor. Despite successfully winning the vote of confidence four times previously, this time he fell short.
KP Sharma Oli Poised to Return as Prime Minister
Earlier this month, the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), led by former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, withdrew its support from Prachanda’s government. This move came after the CPN-UML signed a power-sharing agreement with the Nepali Congress, the second-largest party in the House. As a result, Prachanda was required to prove his majority under Article 100 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal, which he failed to do.
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has already endorsed Oli as the next Prime Minister. The Nepali Congress holds 89 seats in the House of Representatives, while the CPN-UML has 78 seats. Together, their combined strength of 167 seats far exceeds the 138 required for a majority in the lower house.
Power-Sharing Agreement: Oli and Deuba to Share Prime Ministerial Term
In a significant political development, Oli and Deuba have agreed to share the Prime Ministerial term, with each leader serving for one and a half years over the remaining three years of the Parliament’s tenure. Oli, known for his close ties with China, and Deuba, a supporter of India, reached this agreement during a late-night discussion on Sunday. The new government, led by Oli and supported by the Nepali Congress, is expected to take oath on Sunday.
Political Instability in Nepal
It is worth noting that Nepal has witnessed the formation of 13 different governments in the last 16 years, highlighting the political instability in the country. This frequent change in leadership underscores the challenges faced by Nepal in achieving sustained political stability.
