Prime Minister Dahal seeks second vote of confidence amid political instability

KATHMANDU, March 20: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is set to seek a vote of confidence during Monday's meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR), marking the second time he has sought such a vote since his election as Prime Minister.

The move comes after the CPN-UML and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party withdrew their support from the government, as per Article 100(2) of the Constitution of Nepal. Within 30 days of a political party in a coalition government withdrawing its support, the Prime Minister must table a motion in the HoR for a vote of confidence.

CPN (Maoist Center), Nepali Congress, CPN (Unified Socialist), Janata Smajbadi Party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, Nagarik Unmukti Party, Janamat Party, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, Rastriya Janamorcha Party, Nepal Samajbadi Party, and Aam Janata Party have already indicated their support for Prime Minister Dahal.

Currently, there are 32 lawmakers from the CPN (Maoist Center), 86 from the Nepali Congress, 19 from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, 10 from the CPN (Unified Socialist), 13 from the Janata Smajbadi Party, six from the Janamat Party, four each from the Nagarik Unmukti Party and Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, as well as two independent lawmakers, and one each from the Aam Janata Party and Rastriya Janamorcha Party in the HoR.

As Nepal continues to face significant challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, political instability, and economic difficulties, the success of the government depends on the support of the HoR. The outcome of the vote of confidence will determine the fate of Prime Minister Dahal's government and the country's political future.