KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has called for the formation of a new government as per Article 76 (5) of the Constitution.
After Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said that no vote of confidence would not be taken and request to pave the way for the formation of an alternative government, the President called for the formation of a new government. For this, she has given a total of 21 hours to the parties.
A press release from the President’s Office states that President Bhandari has called for the formation of a new government as per Article 76 (5) on the basis of the decision of the cabinet meeting held on Thursday and the request of the Prime Minister.
According to the release, the cabinet meeting on Thursday said that in the current political situation, there was no basis for the government to get a vote of confidence and it was appropriate to pave the way for the formation of an alternative government.
President Bhandari has given time till 5 pm on May 21 for the purpose of appointing the Prime Minister as per Article 76 (5). The candidate must be qualified as per Article 76(2) of the Constitution.
According to constitutional experts, the President’s call was itself an unconstitutional because the present KP Oli government (formed as per Article 76(3)) should take vote of confidence at first. If he fails to garner House support, the House will notify the President and she can call for the next step.
Likewise, Senior Leader of Nepali Congress Ram Chandra Poudel also criticised the activities and President and Prime Minister. He opined that the President’s call for the new government as per Article 76(5) was intended to destabilize democracy and untimely demise of House of Representatives.
