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Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is to seek a vote of confidence on July 12.

The Prime Minister is seeking a vote of confidence after he fell into minority following the agreement of the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML to form a national consensus government.

He has already sent a letter to the Parliament Secretariat to take a vote of confidence.

Prime Minister Dahal informed that he is seeking a vote of confidence as per Article 100 (2) of the Constitution.

The Prime Minister has been saying that he would face the Parliament even though the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have been urging him to resign and pave the way for forming a national consensus government.

The UML and the Congress had reached an agreement to form a new government on July 1.

According to the agreement, UML chair KP Sharma Oli will lead the government initially to push for constitutional amendments and then hand over power to NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba to conduct the 2027 elections.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is preparing to seek a vote of confidence within 30 days as per the constitutional provisions.

During the Cabinet meeting held on Thursday, Prime Minister Dahal informed that he will seek a vote of confidence from the Parliament as per the legal provisions, government spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma said.

"The government will not resign and will also not cross 30 days. The Prime Minister will face the Parliament according to the constitutional provisions. He does not have any plans to resign, " she said, adding, "Though the date for seeking a vote of confidence has not been fixed yet, he will take a vote of confidence as soon as possible."

The Dahal-led government faced a crisis after the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML announced that they will form a national consensus government.

The ruling coalition partner UML had withdrawn its support extended to the government on Wednesday.

The eight ministers of the UML tendered their resignation on Wednesday itself.

Both the parties--Nepali Congress and CPN-UML--have been urging the Prime Minister to put in papers and pave the way for forming a national government.

Issuing a statement on Thursday, UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel urged Prime Minister Dahal not to make any decisions that will have long-term effect.

Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has advised Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to step down and pave the way for forming a new government.

Talking to the media in Biratnagar today, the leader said it would be appropriate for the Prime Minister to resign from the post and pave the way for forming the new government when the government's major coalition partner has already withdrawn its support and left the government.

Claiming that the Nepali Congress' significant contribution to the establishment of a federal democratic republic system, the lawmaker spoke of the need for a constitutional amendment.  The NC is committed to making it happen through the all-sides participation, he added.

"An amendment to the Constitution seems essential to have political stability," he said, adding that the two largest parties in the Parliament - the NC and the CPN UML - are progressing towards the formation of a national consensus government in a special situation.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has pointed out the need of building the capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic missions of Nepal abroad for the welfare of Nepalis overseas.

Prime Minister Dahal said so in the discussion regarding the presentation of the Organization and Management Survey of the Foreign Ministry and subordinate bodies held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM), Singha Durbar, today.  

Saying that he has given top priority to welfare and rights of Nepalis working and living abroad, he mentioned that organizational and structural capacity building was the main agenda for the same, according to the OPMCM.

The Prime Minister explained, "Number of people going abroad is growing. But, our Foreign Ministry, as well as offices and missions under it are not capacitated as per the time. These institutions are running under very old quotas. Let's make it timely and make organization and human resources management strong as well as carry out activities keeping the welfare and rights of Nepalis living abroad in mind. Make technical preparation at secretary-level for the same and we will reach a conclusion soon."

Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha laid emphasis on the need of strengthening Foreign Ministry and its subordinate bodies.

Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Bhanu Bhakta Joshi, Acting Chief Secretary Leela Devi Gadtaula, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini, as well as officials of OPMCM and Foreign Ministry were present on the occasion.

Nepali Congress has said that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal should pave the way by stepping down.

The Central Works Execution Committee meeting held at party President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha concluded that the Prime Minister should put in papers as the two largest parties in the Parliament have already reached an agreement to form a national government.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat said that the Prime Minister should help in forming a new government by tendering his resignation.

“The Prime Minister should pave the way if the two largest parties are saying that they are forming a new government. We have urged him to resign,” he said.

But Prime Minister Dahal is in no mood to resign immediately.

ALSO READ: Story behind formation of new coalition

Leader Mahat informed that the meeting has endorsed the agreement reached between the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML to form a new government.

“The meeting has endorsed the agreement that UML chair KP Sharma Oli will lead the government initially to push for constitutional amendments and then hand over power to NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba to conduct the 2027 elections,” he said.

Mahat further went on to say that the party will decide on the names of the ministers to be sent to the government later.

The CPN-UML has appealed to all the political parties in the Parliament to participate in the national consensus government.

A Secretariat meeting held at the party office on Tuesday appealed to all the parties to participate in the national consensus government to be formed under UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali said.

Similarly, the party has urged Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to resign by tomorrow​​​​​​.

The CPN-UML has urged Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal to resign by tomorrow.

A Secretariat meeting held at the party office on Tuesday appealed to the Prime Minister to pave the way for the formation of a new government as per Article 76 (2) of the Constitution, UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali said.

He said that the Prime Minister should put in his papers and pave the way as the two parties have already reached an agreement to form a national consensus government.

Meanwhile, the UML has appealed to all the parties to help in forming a national consensus government.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal called on President Ram Chandra Paudel on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister and the CPN (Maoist Center) Chair visited the Head-of-the-State at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas. 

On the occasion, matters relating to the country's latest political developments were discussed, according to President's communications expert Kiran Pokhrel.

It may be noted that on Monday, the two largest parties in the federal Parliament- NC and the CPN-UML- agreed to share the power equation, aiming to form a new government under the leadership of UML Chair KP Sharma Oli.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is not going to resign immediately.

The office-bearers’ meeting of the CPN (Maoist Center) held in Baluwatar on Tuesday morning made a decision that the Prime Minister will not tender his resignation instead face a trust vote.

After the meeting, Maoist Center Secretary Devendra Paudel said that the Prime Minister will not put in his papers immediately, instead face a vote of confidence.

The meeting decided that the party will move ahead by holding discussions with Rastriya Swatantra Party, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML among others.

Earlier this morning, UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli met Prime Minister Dahal and urged him to pave the way by resigning from his post.

Oli said that the UML will withdraw the support extended to the government and recall the ministers if he did not step down.

The two big parties—Nepali Congress and CPN-UML—have agreed to form a new government under the leadership of UML Chairman Oli.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli held a meeting on Monday.

According to a Baluwatar source, they discussed contemporary political issues in the meeting today.

The Prime Minister’s Secretariat said that the two leaders also discussed making the works of the government more effective.

Earlier on Saturday and Sunday, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba held talks with UML Chairman Oli.

Following the meetings, Prime Minister Dahal also intensified the dialogues.

Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that entire democratic national forces should be united and renew their commitments to meet people's expectations.

In his speech at the inaugural session of the 10th national general convention of the CPN (Unified Socialist) in Kathmandu Sunday, the PM said national consensus is needed to troubleshoot the country's key challenges. 

He added that all democratic and patriotic forces should unite to safeguard national independence, geographical indivisibility and national pride and urged to further revise the democratic republic, which he said was established from the people's long struggle and sacrifices.

The PM also suggested that the CPN (US) should move ahead with clear political programs for the country's prosperity to dissect the narrative of 'nothing good is going to happen in the country'.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister revealed that efforts are being made to form a single party of the CPN (Maoist Center) and CPN (US) by forming a front and argued that all revolutionary parties should unite for the cause of the country and people.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal asserted that all leftists and democratic forces should come on board for the greater good of the country and citizens.

Addressing the 10th national convention of the CPN (Unified Socialist) in Kathmandu Sunday, PM Dahal extended his best wishes to the party in preparing the course of action to expand party force and organization with real-time evaluation of the socialist revolution.

Recalling the efforts made to unify the CPN (Unified Socialist) and his party CPN (Maoist Center) while they were in the same front in the past, the Head of the Government expressed his confidence that the national convention would endorse new and revised ideologies for the party.

PM Dahal also saw the need for modification in the Marxist ideology as per the need of the country.

There are altogether 1,849 representatives taking part in the five-day convention which will elect the 299-member working committee and 21 office-bearers.

On a different note, PM Dahal shared that various files related to corruption were being searched and disclosed. "'Nothing significant has happened yet' is a wrong narrative. I am future-oriented and committed towards the prosperity of the nation," he observed.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government was trying to prepare the basis for socialism by institutionalizing the achievements of revolutions and changes.

Launching a memoir 'Sahashik Yoddha Jagat Bahadur Bohora (Valiant Warrior Jagat Bahadur Bohora)' related to Jagat Bahadur Bohora today, PM Dahal reiterated that the government was moving ahead with good-governance, social justice and prosperity as its priorities.

"We have come to a socialism-oriented federal democratic republic on the foundation laid by the sacrifices and the sufferings of thousands of martyrs, forcefully disappeared combatants and tens of thousands of revolutionary warriors. We should embark on the journey of socialism by institutionalizing these achievements," asserted the PM.

Recalling Bohora who delivered keeping emancipation of the country and people, and changes in center in any challenging situations, the Head of the Government said that Bohora also made a significant contribution in the People's War that was in favor of revolutionary transformation of Nepali society.

Bohora was injured in a peaceful cultural program staged against the single-party autocratic Panchayat system at Piskar in Sindhupalchowk district in 2040 BS.

Ile Thami and Bir Bahadur Thami along with other protestors were killed while the remaining others were brutally suppressed.

Dozens of warriors including Chhatra Bahadur Bohora, Man Bahadur Thami, Meghnath Poudel, Arun Nepal, Suresh Nepal, Gopal Thapaliya among others were detained and put behind bars.

Bohora was one among those critically hurt in the incident.

CPN (Maoist Center) Spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota and CPN (UML)'s Amrit Kumar Bohora among others were present in the book launch program.

President Ram Chandra Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal held a meeting on Friday.

During the meeting held at Sheetal Niwas, they discussed contemporary issues, according to the Private Secretariat of the President.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday witnessed a heated debate as cross-party lawmakers raised multiple pressing issues that need immediate government attention. Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha was absent, so Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal responded to the questions. 

One key topic was China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). PM Dahal reminded lawmakers that the BRI Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in 2017 during his second term as prime minister.

In Sept 2023, during Dahal’s visit to China, the two sides held discussions on finalizing the BRI implementation plan. Nine months later, Dahal informed Parliament that the implementation plan is in its final stages and will be signed soon, although he did not specify the dates. Lawmakers expressed concerns about the potential debt burden on Nepal if loans are taken to finance infrastructure projects under the BRI.

PM Dahal reassured lawmakers that Nepal prefers grants over loans and, if loans are taken, they would be concessional to avoid a ‘debt trap’. He stated, “I have clearly told the Chinese side that Nepal cannot afford high-interest rates and prefers the same interest rates as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.” 

Nepali Congress lawmaker Ram Hari Khatiwada requested that grants be prioritized over soft loans, emphasizing that any loan interest rates should not exceed 1 to 1.5 percent. Transparency regarding the interest rates of BRI loans is often lacking, with rates reportedly at two percent or higher.

Lawmaker Shishir Khanal from the Rastriya Swatantra Party argued that there should be parliamentary deliberations about the BRI agreements with China. Due to the lack of debate in Parliament, negative perceptions of the BRI have arisen outside of it, Khanal said.  While the two countries are negotiating the implementation plan, the government has yet to publicize it.

Lawmakers also questioned the PM about issues relating to India. Despite the report of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) being almost inactive, PM Dahal assured lawmakers that efforts are underway to submit the EPG report to both sides. He acknowledged that he did not bring up the issue during his visit to India last year to avoid straining bilateral relations. Lawmakers also inquired about the ongoing map dispute with India and the progress made in diplomatic negotiations. PM Dahal stated, “Efforts are underway to resolve this issue through bilateral mechanisms formed to address boundary disputes.”

The issue of Nepalis trapped in the Russia-Ukraine war was prominently raised, but PM Dahal did not provide a clear answer about the government’s efforts. Unofficial figures indicate that around three dozen Nepalis who joined the Russian army have died, and hundreds are trapped in the war zone. The PM mentioned that both sides are in constant talks to resolve the problem and that a committee has been formed to provide recommendations on managing the movement of people between Nepal and Russia.

Recently, the government has faced criticism for recalling ambassadors before completion of their terms and violation of its own recruitment standards for new ambassadors. PM Dahal admitted these shortcomings and pledged that future appointments would be merit-based and better managed.

PM Dahal also faced questions about efforts to convene the SAARC summit, stalled since 2014. He attributed the delay to souring relations between India and Pakistan but did not mention the impact of recent developments in Afghanistan. He stated, “I have clearly talked with Indian Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar about the need to organize the SAARC summit, but India has indicated there are complexities involved.” With Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking office for a third consecutive term, fresh debates about the possibility of organizing the SAARC summit have emerged.

The PM also addressed questions related to Gorkha recruitment and the 1947 tripartite agreement among Nepal, India, and the UK. He emphasized the need to update the agreement in the changing context, based on national consensus. A section of Nepali politicians has long demanded the scrapping of the treaty.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has made it clear that initiatives are on for receiving the report of the Nepal-India Eminent Persons Group (EPG) through understanding of the two countries. He said that he made the initiation for an understanding in that connection during his recent visit to India.

Responding to the supplementary questions of lawmakers on the budget and programs allocated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the subordinate bodies under the Appropriation Bill, 2081 in the meeting of the House of Representatives today, the PM reiterated that the Nepal-India relations and treaties would be moved forward on the basis of national understanding.

Stating that regular contact and coordination is being established with the Embassy of Nepal in Moscow and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Kathmandu regarding the information on the Nepali citizens who have died and held captive due to the Russia-Ukraine war, he said a taskforce has been set up to give recommendations for making the movement of Nepalis in Russia systematic.

The PM added that talks are being held with Ukraine through diplomatic channels in connection with the Nepalis held captive there in the course of the conflict.

Making it clear that the appointment of ambassadors would be done on a merit basis, he vowed to render it more systematic in the coming days.

'Government has kept rescue of Nepalis in difficulty in foreign land in priority'

Similarly, PM Dahal stated that Nepal's diplomatic missions abroad have kept in high priority the task of facilitating the rescue of Nepali nationals in difficulty in foreign countries and in their repatriation home to Nepal if needed.

He said the Nepali ambassadors and mission chiefs have been provided orientation for making the foreign employment dignified, safe and systematic, adding that arrangements have been made so that services like repatriation of the bodies of those Nepalis killed abroad to Nepal and securing compensation would be available from the Nepal's foreign diplomatic missions 24 hours.

"Arrangements have been made for establishing easy contact through hotline service as well as website and social site, besides telephone service at some of the diplomatic missions. Shelter homes have been managed at some missions including in Saudi Arabia, among some countries. The missions have been running psycho-social counseling services targeting the Nepali migrant workers through direct and online means," he said.

The Prime Minister said that the Department of Passports has made the passport distribution and renewal services more effective and friendly to the service-seekers.

Likewise, PM Dahal said that the government is committed to mobilizing Nepal's overseas diplomatic missions and their chiefs to the best interest of the nation. He also made it clear that the government can, as per the Guidelines on Appointment of Ambassadors, recall the ambassadors before completion of their tenure if it deems necessary.

He further added that the policy of appointing at least 50 per cent ambassadors from the foreign services itself has been continued for keeping a balance between political appointments and the professionals in the ambassadorial appointments.

The Prime Minister expressed his belief that the ambassadorial appointment would be rendered more systematic, prestigious and transparent, and based on capacity and job performance, making the Guidelines as the main basis.