Kathmandu, July 5: Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML have jointly urged Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to step down, citing his loss of majority in parliament and the need to form a new government.
The UML, on Tuesday, requested PM Dahal’s resignation to facilitate the new government formation, as per an agreement between the NC and the UML. On Thursday, the NC echoed this sentiment, stating that there is no longer a valid reason for PM Dahal to remain in office.
Speaking to the media in Biratnagar, Gagan Thapa advised PM Dahal to resign, highlighting that the government’s main coalition partner had withdrawn its support. Thapa emphasized the NC’s significant role in establishing a federal democratic republic system and stressed the necessity of a constitutional amendment for political stability. He mentioned that the NC and the UML are progressing towards forming a national consensus government under the current special circumstances.
Despite these calls, PM Dahal remains resolute in maintaining his position. On Thursday, he persuaded ministers from the Rabi Lamichhane-led Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) not to resign. The RSP ministers, including RSP President Rabi Lamichhane (Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister), Dol Prasad Aryal (Minister for Labor and Employment), Sumana Shrestha (Minister for Education), and Birajbhakta Shrestha (Minister for Youth and Sports), had reached the Prime Minister’s residence to submit their resignations but left without doing so after discussions with PM Dahal.
RSP Chief Whip Santosh Pariyar confirmed that the ministers decided to stay after PM Dahal assured them he would seek a vote of confidence in parliament.
The decision of the RSP ministers to stay came a day after the UML withdrew its support, and its ministers resigned en masse. This political shift left the Dahal-led government in the minority, as the UML forged a new alliance with the NC, breaking its ties with the Maoist Center.
Meanwhile, the CPN (Unified Socialist) also reluctant to withdraw support to Prachanda-led government. Their two ministers were participating in the cabinet meeting on Thursday evening. Likewise, the ministers from Ashok Rai-led Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) were also in the cabinet meeting, however the party has already signalled to support the new alliance.
