PM Oli urged to clear the way for a new government; PM not to resign immediately

Kathmandu / July 12: The Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Centre) have urged Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to pave the way for a new government by resigning immediately.

Commenting on the decision of the CPN (Maoist Centre) to withdraw its support to Oli-led government, NC leader Bimalendra Nidhi said as one of the ruling partners has withdrawn its support, Prime Minister Oli should resign. “There is no significance of him continuing, so he must immediately resign”, Nidhi said.

Leader Nidhi also made it clear that the next government would be a majority government.

Meanwhile, speaking at a press meet organized by the CPN (MC) to declare withdrawal of support to the government, the party leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara also stressed the PM Oli should resign to give way to a new government.

Leader Mahara also claimed that NC has agreed to support a government led by his party Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal. He however said that his party was in favour of a national consensus government, and efforts would be made to that end.

The NC and Maoist (MC) have already signed an agreement to form the next government to thereby address the demands of the agitating Madhesi parties, complete the peace process, accelerate post-quake reconstructions among others.

Madhesi parties in ‘wait and see’ mode

The Madhes-based political parties are in the ‘wait and watch’ mode over the issue of withdrawal of support of the CPN (Maoist Centre) from the government.

Co-Chairman of the Sadbhawana Party, Laxmanlal Karna, said that the issue of withdrawing the support from the government by the CPN Maoist Centre is not very important for the United Democratic Madhesi Front.

He expressed the view that Chairman of the CPN Maoist Centre had supported the incumbent government for his personal interest and has now withdrawn the support on personal interest. “We will decide whether or not to support the new government only after the behaviour of the new coalition towards our demands”, he said.

Although it has been said that the incumbent government is now in minority after CPN Maoist Centre withdrew its support from the government, legal experts said that it cannot be interpreted in this way until approval of no confidence motion.

There is the provision of the formation of Council of Ministers under the transitional provision in Article 298 of the Constitution. As per the provision, the Prime Minister would be relieved from his post if he/she resigned and if no confidence motion is passed by a majority of the total existing members of the Legislature-Parliament, or if a vote of confidence is rejected, if he/she no longer remains a parliamentarian.

PM not to resign from post immediately

Meanwhile, a meeting of the ruling parties except the CPN (Maoist Centre) has concluded that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli should not immediately resign from his post.

After the meeting held at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar on Tuesday evening, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare, CP Mainali, said that the meeting drew the conclusion that the decision of the CPN (MC) of withdrawing support from the government was unexpected and impractical at a time when the new constitution is in the phase of implementation.

DPM Mainali said that the decision of the CPN (MC) of quitting the government without holding discussion with government coalition partners would affect the country’s stability

The meeting also took the decision that the remaining 15 government coalition parties would face the recent challenges.

Similarly, another DPM Chitra Bahadur KC said that the meeting decided to move ahead as per the due parliamentary process, rather than resigning.

Meanwhile, a standing committee meeting of the CPN (UML) is taking place at Baluwatar to take further decision regarding the latest political development.

I’m mulling recent development: PM Oli

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said he was mulling over the latest political developments triggered by the decision of the ruling partner CPN (Maoist Centre) to withdraw support to him. “I received the letter sent by the CPN (MC) and thinking how we can sort out problems on it,” PM Oli said this while exiting from his Office earlier today.

He had held an informal meeting with members of his cabinet members after the Maoist’s decision to quit the government.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Bhim Rawal has said the Maoist’s decision to quit the government has violated the 14-point agreement they had before the formation of the present government. He argued that the recent political development has not dampened the national agenda of political stability and constitution implementation. “We will hold serious discussion within the party, and with other parties before taking any concrete decision,” added the DPM. RSS