Prachanda loses vote of confidence, Oli to lead next govt

Kathmandu, 12 July:  Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ today lost the vote of confidence in Parliament cutting short the life of his government.

Prachanda’s exit also paves the way for K P Oli, Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal -Unified Marxist Leninist, backed by Nepali Congress, succeeding as the Prime Minister for the third time after
the promulgation of the constitution in September 2015.

As Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire cleared the lobby and ordered division, among 258 present only 63 voted in favour of the motion, with 194 voting against it.

The NC and UML combine makes an absolute majority, but under article 76(4) of the constitution, the new government shall have to seek a vote of confidence within thirty days of its formation.

The acrimonious debate that was marked by allegations and counter allegations, saw a furious , and a bit downcast , Prachanda accusing external forces playing a role in  his exit, and bringing about unity between the NC and the UML.

Soon after the fall of the government, Oli and Deuba are expected to meet President Ram Chandra Poudel, along with the signature of NC and UML Parliamentarians demanding that Oli be invited to form the government.

In a midnight deal signed by Oli and Deuba on July 2, the two—first Oli and then Deuba –are to head the government for equal half of the remaining 43 months tenure of the current parliament.