Nepal PM ‘Prachanda’ to seek 3rd vote of confidence by Mar 13
Prachanda became the Prime Minister for the third term with the support of the Nepali Congress on December 25, 2022. His party is the third-largest group in the House of Representatives
Kathmandu: Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ is planning to seek a vote of confidence in Parliament by March 13, days after he forged a new alliance with the CPN-UML.
The third round of vote of confidence comes after Prachanda, a former guerilla leader, dumped the Nepali Congress and forged a new alliance with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) the second-biggest party led by former premier KP Sharma Oli on Monday.
According to constitutional provisions, prime ministers have to take a vote of confidence after any ally withdraws support.
Prime Minister Prachanda informally discussed the matter within his close circle in the party on Saturday and the parliamentary party meeting of the CPN-Maoist Centre decided to issue a whip to all of its lawmakers to be present compulsorily in the Lower House during the voting on March 13, according to the party’s secretary Ganesh Shah.
A formal decision to this effect will be taken during Sunday’s Office Bearers’ meeting of the party, he said.
The lower House of Parliament - House of Representatives - has been summoned for a session on March 13. According to Nepalese media, the new coalition has enough seats in the 275-member Parliament.
After the change in power equation and withdrawal of support to the government by the Nepali Congress, the largest party in the Lower House, it has become mandatory for Prachanda to seek a vote of confidence within 30 days to prove his majority.
This will be the third vote of confidence since Prachanda became Prime Minister one and a half years ago.
The election for the post of the Chairman of the upper House of Parliament has been scheduled for March 12, according to The Kathmandu Post newspaper.
Prachanda became the prime minister for the third term with the support of the Nepali Congress on December 25, 2022. His party is the third-largest group in the House of Representatives.
