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CPN-UML has pulled out of the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led coalition government over a presidential candidate dispute. Days after the Rastriya Prajatantra Party quit the government, the UML ministers also tendered their resignation. UML was the coalition linchpin that elevated Dahal to power for the third time on Dec 25 last year. But the coalition broke down within just two months after the prime minister refused to back UML’s presidential candidate. 

With UML and RPP out of the government, and another coalition partner, Rastriya Swatantra Party, having previously recalled its ministers over the citizenship controversy of its leader Rabi Lamichhane, 16 ministries are now without ministers. As per article 100 of the constitution, the prime minister should now take a vote of confidence from Parliament.

The article states: “In case the political party, which the Prime Minister represents, is divided or a political party in coalition government withdraws its support, the Prime Minister shall table a motion in the House of Representatives for a vote of confidence within 30 days.”

Experts, however, say that Dahal doesn’t have the luxury of taking 30 days to take Parliament’s floor test, as the major parties that supported him have pulled out from his government.  Lamichhane’s RSP is the only party that has not decided to withdraw its support to the Dahal government, despite recalling its ministers. 

Constitutional expert Bipin Adhikari says this is not a normal situation for the prime minister. “Dahal’s major coalition partners have quit, so he must take the vote of confidence without any delay.” Without the trust vote, Adhikari adds, the prime minister, who has essentially lost the majority, cannot engage in major parliamentary business. 

Dahal was appointed prime minister with the support of 169 members in the 275-strong House of Representatives. The UML (78) and RPP (14) together made 92 votes.  Dahal’s party had secured only 32 seats in the parliamentary election held on November 20 last year. Without the UML and RPP support, his government has been rendered into a minority.  

But with the main opposition, Nepali Congress, and other fringe parties behind Dahal, he is confident about saving his premiership.   Preliminary talks are already under way to form a new coalition. 

A Cabinet meeting has started at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singhadurbar on Monday. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal called the Cabinet meeting after the eight ministers of the CPN-UML tender their resignation. Earlier this afternoon, the UML had decided to pull out of the government. After the UML, Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Rastriya Swatantra Party quit the government, only the CPN (Maoist Center) and Janamat Party are in the government.    

The Rastriya Swatantra Party has decided to continue its support to the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government. After the Central Committee held on Monday, party Deputy General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti said that the party will not withdraw the support extended to the Dahal-led government immediately. The party, however, has already pulled out of the government. Burlakoti said that the party will continue its support to the government until the next development in Nepali politics. He said that the party has not made any decision on the presidential election yet. Saying that the meeting has decided to take part in the by-election in Chitwan-2, Burlakoti said that the party will be registered with the Election Commission soon.  

The CPN-UML, the second largest party in the Parliament, has decided to quit the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government. A Secretariat meeting held on Monday has also decided to withdraw the support extended to the Dahal-led government, party Vice-Chairman Bishnu Paudel said. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Paudel said that he would tender his resignation today itself.