Jubilee Post News & Views
Jubilee News Desk
IN a major political twist the neighbouring Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli lost in parliament the trial of strength. Sharma will now be submitting resignation to President Bidhya Devi Bhandari.
Bhandari will ask Parliament to explore formation of the new government within a week. Sharma in the House secured votes in his favour from 93 lawmakers and in against from 124 lawmakers. IN all 15 lawmakers were neutral thereby leading to KP Oli’s loss. IN all only 232 members of 271 were present in the House to cast their vote in the confidence motion. Special arrangements were made by the Parliament for Covid-19 positive MPs to vote.
India is analysing the situation and will closely keep watch on formation of the new government keeping in view Nepal’s developing closeness with China. At present China is supporting Nepal in developing infrastructure for the pandemic management and also getting vaccines.
Oli faced a confidence vote after alliance partner NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) withdrew support. Oli asked parliament for a vote of confidence to show he still has enough support to stay in power.
Significantly this was the first vote of confidence unsuccessfully sought by the first government elected under the new constitution promulgated in September 2015. Oli faced the defeat in Parliament after leading the government for roughly about 38 months. Dissident members from the ruling party defied the party whip and abstained from voting. Oli will be submitting his resignation to President Bidhya Devi Bhandari.
Oli said it was unfortunate that a government that tirelessly worked for the country’s development and nation building is being targeted for narrow and partisan interests. Prominent opposition leaders — Sher Bahadur Deuba (Nepali Congress) and Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda (Maoists) –blamed Oli for failure to tackle the Coronavirus pandemic that resulted in a surge in cases and fatalities in the country.
