Nepal PM Prachanda loses vote of confidence in Parliament

CPN-UML chairman K P Sharma Oli, backed by Nepali Congress, set to take charge as new PM

Nepal's embattled Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda. (Reuters/File)

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ Friday lost the vote of confidence in Parliament, 10 days after its coalition partner, the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist, withdrew support and vowed to lead the government itself.

CPN-UML chairman K P Sharma Oli, backed by the Nepali Congress, is set to take charge as the new Prime Minister. Only 63 members in the 275-member House of Representatives supported the motion that Prachanda moved, with an overwhelming 194 opposing it, and one abstaining.

Prachanda’s third tenure, beginning December 2022, has been marked by frequent changes of coalition partners. He survived the last four votes of confidence, but he was not as lucky this time around.

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Shortly after Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire announced Prachanda’s defeat, members could be seen congratulating Oli.

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Oli and Nepali Congress chief Sher Bahadur Deuba are expected to meet President Ram Chandra Poudel jointly, with signatures of MPs from the two parties, and stake claim for Oli to be appointed as the new PM.

The two parties together command the support of 167 members in the House. The new government will have to win the vote of confidence in Parliament within 30 days of its formation.

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