Dahal took the vote of confidence second time after his appointment to the post in December last year….reports Asian Lite News
Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Monday won vote of confidence in the Parliament’s House of Representatives – second time in nearly three months after formation of the new government.
House Speaker Devraj Ghimire announced that Dahal had won the vote of confidence. Dahal got support from 172 members of House of Representatives of the 262 who voted. Eighty nine members voted against the ruling coalition during the trust vote and one member abstained. Earlier, political parties except CPN-UML, Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party had announced their support for the Dahal-led government.
Dahal took the vote of confidence second time after his appointment to the post in December last year.
Earlier in January, Dahal had secured over 99 percent votes during the trust vote. The fresh vote of confidence was necessitated as Rastriya Prajatantra Party and CPN-UML withdrew their support to the Dahal government after his decision to support Nepali Congress candidate in the presidential election.
Cabinet expansion
Nepal PM has planned to expand the cabinet this week. Dahal made the announcement as he walked out of the Federal Parliament securing the vote of confidence for the second time in less than 3 months. Leading a fragile coalition of 10 parties demanding their share in the cabinet, the Nepal Prime Minister who secured his seat for the second time since getting into power at end of December claimed he will be expanding the cabinet this week.
“After getting the vote of confidence, the task of completing the ministerial portfolio to complete the government would start. Discussions would be held with the coalition members and we will finalize it in 2-4 days,” Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ told ANI.
Dahal as of now is holding 16 ministerial posts after Rastriya Swatantra Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and the Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) deserted cabinet under his leadership.
Able to secure 172 votes in favour from 10 parties, PM Dahal was heavily criticized by the opposition CPN-UML in session on Monday. Dahal had ditched the communist led-alliance and forged a partnership with the Democrat-led coalition of the Nepali Congress ahead of the Presidential Election.
Angst with Dahal’s move to ditch the coalition and agreement to share power for two and half years each between the parties, CPN-UML has decided to remain in opposition. Speaking to ANI, KP Sharma Oli, CPN-UML chairman said, “We will remain in opposition and fulfil the role.”
The lifespan of the Nepal Prime Minister over the post is largely dependent on the fragile coalition. This time also, Dahal has agreed to split the five years tenure on 2-1-2 years basis with CPN-Unified Socialist (US) and the Nepali Congress.
As per the leaders of the parties, Dahal will retire from the post after remaining in post for 2 years paving the way to CPN (Unified Socialist) for a year and then the Nepali Congress will lead the government until the nation goes for the poll in 2027. But doubt remains whether the parties would go on that run. (with inputs from Binod Prasad Adhikari, ANI)