PM Prachanda Calls for Vote of Confidence Amid Shifting Alliances

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, has once again summoned for a crucial vote of confidence in the House of Representatives (HoR) today, as Nepal’s political landscape continues to witness dramatic shifts.

The call for confidence comes in the wake of recent turbulence, marked by the withdrawal of support from the Nepali Congress, a former ally of Dahal’s ruling coalition. The Nepali Congress’ decision to transition from being a ruling partner to an opposition party on March 4 prompted this move.

Prime Minister Dahal, who also chairs the CPN (Maoist Centre), had initially garnered confidence from the HoR on January 10, 2023, with overwhelming support. However, the changing dynamics within the ruling coalition, particularly during the recent presidential election, have necessitated another demonstration of support.

In response to the shifting alliances, which saw the withdrawal of support from the CPN (UML), Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Dahal formed a new coalition comprising CPN (UML), CPN (Maoist Centre), Rastriya Swatantra Party, Janata Samajwadi Party, and CPN (Unified Socialist).

With this recalibrated support base, Prime Minister Dahal is poised to secure the required 138 votes of confidence easily. The coalition parties have issued directives to their members to back Dahal in the vote.

Notably, the Chairperson of the Nagarik Unmukti Party and parliamentary party leader, Ranjita Shrestha, has also instructed party members to throw their support behind PM Dahal, further bolstering his position.