UML withdraws support to the govt as PM Dahal refuses to step down

Kathmandu / July 3: The CPN-UML has withdrawn its support to the government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal after he refused to pave the way for the formation of a new government by tendering his resignation.

All ministers representing the UML reached the Official Residence of the Prime Minister in Baluwatar on Wednesday evening to inform Prime Minister Dahal about their party’s decision to withdraw support. The development comes after Prime Minister Dahal rejected calls from both the Nepali Congress (NC) and the UML to step down to facilitate the formation of a new government.

In a sudden twist in national politics, the UML severed its alliance with the Maoist Center and forged a new alliance with the NC on Monday at midnight. The new alliance left Prime Minister Dahal in the minority.

According to UML Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula, they decided to submit the collective resignation of all UML ministers to Prime Minister Dahal as per the party’s decision. Earlier, a Secretariat meeting of the party had decided to withdraw support to the government after Prime Minister Dahal snubbed their call to step down and pave the way for the formation of a new government.

Under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister and Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Raghubir Mahaseth, the following ministers represented the UML in the Dahal-led cabinet: Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Padam Giri, Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Jwala Kumari Sah, Industry, Commerce and Supply Minister Damodar Bhandari, Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Minister Balram Adhikari, Water Supply Minister Rajendra Kumar Rai, Women, Children and Senior Citizens Minister Bhagwati Chaudhary, and Defense Minister Hari Prasad Upreti.

As per Article 100 (2), the Prime Minister is required to table a motion in the House of Representatives for a vote of confidence within thirty days if the political party he represents is divided or if a coalition party withdraws its support.

With the UML’s decision to withdraw support, Prime Minister Dahal must take a vote of confidence in the House of Representatives. However, this process starts only after a formal notification of the withdrawal of support is given to Parliament. In other words, the Prime Minister has to take a vote of confidence within thirty days of the UML’s formal notification of withdrawal of support to the Parliament.