PM Prachanda ousted after losing trust vote; NC-UML claim prime ministerial post to leader Oli

Kathmandu / July 12: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ lost his position, after failing to secure a vote of confidence in the House of Representatives on Friday.

194 HoR members voted against his vote of confidence proposal whereas 63 members voted in favour. Similarly, a HoR member stood neutral.

A total of 258 HoR members were presented in the meeting on Friday.

Following the voting on the confidence motion, Speaker Devraj Ghimire announced that PM Prachanda’s vote of confidence proposal was denied by a majority of HoR members.

He had to get the support of 138 lawmakers to prove his majority.

As per Article 100 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal, PM Prachanda tabled a motion in the HoR on Friday.

CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Prachanda became Prime Minister for the third time on December 25, 2022.

President calls for new government formation
The President calls on House of Representatives members to stake a claim to lead a new government as per Article 76 (2).

President calls for new government formation

President Ramchandra Paudel on Friday called on members of the House of Representatives to stake claim for the post of prime minister showing a majority with the support of two or more political parties in the lower house.

The Office of the President, in a statement, has called on the House members to present the majority through the support of parties represented in the lower house by Sunday evening.

“The President, in accordance with Article 76 (2) of the constitution, calls on House of Representative members to show a majority in order to be appointed as the prime minister of Nepal with the support of two or more political parties of the House of Representatives by 5 pm on Sunday,” the statement reads.

Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal lost his position on Friday, over 18 months after his appointment, as he failed to secure a vote of confidence during a floor test in the House of Representatives.

Dahal couldn’t secure the 138 votes required to endorse the trust motion as only 63 lawmakers voted in his favour in the 275-strong House of Representatives. A total of 194 lawmakers voted against him, while a member cast a no vote. A total of 258 lawmakers were present in Friday’s meeting of the lower House.

With the President’s call, the Nepali Congress and the UML are all set to claim the prime ministerial post for UML chair KP Sharma Oli as per the deal the two parties reached on July 1.

NC-UML all set to claim prime ministerial post to leader Oli

With Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ failure to secure trust vote in the meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, the Nepali Congress and the UML are all set to claim the prime ministerial post to UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli once the President makes a call for formation of the new government.

Talking to media persons following the HoR meeting today, NC Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak expressed belief that the President would summon the political parties as per Article 76 (2) of constitution to stake claim for the new government as per Supreme Court precedent. This provision is invoked as long as the two or more political parties in parliament can form a government.

Leader from the same party Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat said NC was clear on proposing UML Chair Oli as new PM based on agreement.

Similarly, UML Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula said they were ready to submit their proposal before the President for Oli-led government as per agreement made between NC and UML.

However, CPN (Maoist Centre) lawmaker Madhav Sapkota said the President will call the parties for new government in accordance with Article 76 (3).

Sapkota further said his party would stand by the government if it is made as per Article 76 (3). But, it would be against the government led by UML Chair Oli.

He further informed that PM Prachanda had left for visiting President Paudel.

Moreover, RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane claimed that his party worked honestly for country and people while being in government. Now, RSP would stay in opposition, he added. RSS