KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda), will seek a vote of confidence in parliament on May 20, the fourth in a year and half since coming to power, following the discontinuation of support from one of its partners. Prachanda is from Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center) which is ranked third in terms of representation in House of Representatives.
The decision to seek the vote came after his party split and Upendra Yadav-led Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal withdrew its support for the govt on May 13. He also stepped down as deputy prime minister. If there is a division within his party or any coalition partner withdraws support to him then he needs to seek a vote of confidence within 30 days. The govt requires at least 138 votes in the 275-member House to win the trust vote.
Last year, Prachanda had to face floor test after former PM KP Sharma Oli-led CPN-UML withdrew its support to the Prachanda-led govt over backing main opposition party’s presidential candidate. His popularity through various confidence votes has dwindled.
January last year saw him receive 268 votes but this figure dipped slightly when he was tested again two months later receiving only 172 votes then finally it reached lowest number reaching up to 157 votes on third floor test.
