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Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is seeking a vote of confidence for the fourth time on May 20.

He is taking the vote of confidence after the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal withdrew support to the government on May 13.

Speaker Devraj Ghimire’s press advisor Shekhar Adhikari informed that the PM has written to the federal Parliament Secretariat to make arrangements to seek a vote of confidence on May 20.

As per Article 100 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal, the PM should table a motion in HoR for the vote of confidence within 30 days if a political party in a coalition government withdraws its support to the Prime Minister.

CPN-UML, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), CPN (Unified Socialist) and some other political parties in the HoR are the coalition members of the present government formed under the leadership of CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

A discussion among the Nepali Congress lawmakers is underway after the postponement of the meeting of the House of Representatives.

The main opposition Nepali Congress has taken a stance that it would not allow the House of function until a parliamentary committee is formed to probe fraud charges against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.

Home Minister Lamichhane has not been able to speak about the allegations leveled against him by the Congress in the Parliament.

During a Parliamentary Party meeting held on Wednesday, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli had said that his party would retaliate if the Nepali Congress obstructed the Parliament meeting.

Congress has adopted flexibility to allow Lamichhane to speak after Oli warned that the UML would speak if Lamichhane is not allowed to speak in today’s Parliament meeting.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal this morning held a meeting with the leaders of ruling coalition and the main opposition Congress to discuss the House deadlock and forming a parliamentary probe committee.

NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba has become flexible after Prime Minister Dahal urged him to allow Home Minister Lamichhane to speak in the Parliament and form the parliamentary committee later, Congress Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak said.

“The meeting of the Congress lawmakers is underway. I am also going. Prime Minister Dahal had urged the party President Deuba to allow Home Minister Lamichhane to speak in the Parliament and form the parliamentary probe committee later,” he said, adding, “President Sher Bahadur Deuba is also positive on the same. A meeting is underway to take opinion from other friends on the issue.”

They have demanded that the Congress should also be allowed to speak after Lamichhane expressed his views.

A Parliament meeting scheduled for 11 am has been postponed for 4 pm today.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Speaker Devraj Ghimire held a meeting on Wednesday.

Speaker Ghimire had reached the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar to discuss the issue of House deadlock.

The Speaker’s press advisor Shekhar Adhikari said that Speaker Ghimire has taken the issue of not being able to endorse a motion of expressing gratitude to President Ram Chandra Pauel for presenting the government’s policies and programs due to the obstruction of the Nepali Congress in a serious way.

He said that the government should take initiatives to make the Parliament effective.

Speaker Ghimire said that it would be shameful if the budget gets affected due to the lack of consensus among the political parties.

“The House business has been affected due to lack of agreement among the political parties. This is not good,” he said, adding, “Hope, there will not be a constitutional crisis.”

In response, Prime Minister Dahal said that the government is committed to resolve the problems of cooperatives, saying that the issue will be sorted out soon after holding a discussion with the ruling and opposition parties.

The main opposition Nepali Congress has been obstructing the Parliament demanding formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate fraud charges against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal urged the main opposition Nepali Congress not to obstruct the Parliament while presenting the government’s policies and programs for the financial year 2024/25.

During a meeting held in Baluwatar this morning, the Prime Minister urged the Nepali Congress leaders not to create obstruction while the President is presenting the policies and programs of the government for the financial year 2024/25 in the joint meeting of the federal Parliament today, Congress Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak informed.

General Secretary Gagan Thapa and Chief Whip Lekhak among other leaders were present in the meeting.

Prime Minister Dahal urged the Nepali Congress leaders to adopt flexibility saying it would send a wrong message if they obstruct the Parliament when the President is presenting the policies and programs.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister said that he is committed to resolving the cooperative problems.

In response, the Congress leaders said that they would decide on how to move ahead after the Parliamentary Party meeting.

The NC has been obstructing the Parliament demanding formation of a parliamentary probe committee to investigate charges against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed his confidence that the deadlock in the Parliament will end soon. 

PM Dahal, also Chairman of CPN (Maoist Center), said this while talking to party cadres in eastern Chitwan today.

He said that the formal and informal talks were in progress with party leaders regarding resuming the House proceedings and these talks will give results very soon.

He further shared that they will reach a conclusion to end the House deadlock by this evening.  On another note, the Prime Minister argued that there was no confusion in continuity of the present ruling coalition partners.

He said that they will forge consensus to pass the policies and programs of the government and upcoming budget. The PM also opined that there will be proper relations between the policies and programs with the budget.  

According to him, the government will put the agriculture sector in high priority along with promoting the agro based industries. "The budget will address the issues of marginalized, disadvantaged and poor people and sectors," the PM added.

Prime Minister Dahal said that the government has worked effectively to control the crime and has brought the 143 ropanis of lands of Lalita Niwas under the possession of Nepal Government.

The Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal has withdrawn support extended to the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government.

A Central Committee meeting of the party held on Monday decided to withdraw support to the Dahal-led government, leader Deepak Karki informed.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population Upendra Yadav and Minister of State for Health and Population Deepak Karki resigned from their post on Monday morning.

Yadav mentioned in his resignation letter that he decided to resign  as he could not work efficiently together with the ruling coalition parties remaining in the government in the developing political situation. 

The Chairman Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal told Annapurna Post, the sister publication of The Annapurna Express, that he resigned as he was not feeling comfortable coordinating with the CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center).

“The major parties of the incumbent government have played a crucial role in splitting the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal.  I have serious dissatisfaction over the working style of the UML-Maoist Center,” he said.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire held a telephone conversation on Monday to discuss the ways to create an environment for running the Parliament.

During the conversation, they also discussed the government’s policies and programs, the Speaker's press advisor Shekhar Adhikari informed.

He said that the Prime Minister has decided to take initiatives to forge political consensus.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal informed the Speaker that he had held a meeting with the main opposition party Nepali Congress to forge political consensus and also discussed the demands of the party with the ruling coalition partners. He said that they would reach the conclusion by this evening.

Prime Minister Dahal said that he would start consultations again with the Congress soon after he returned to Kathmandu from Chitwan.

He also informed the Speaker about the meeting held with the President.

The Nepali Congress has been obstructing both the Houses of the federal Parliament—House of Representatives and National Assembly—demanding formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate fraud charges against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.

Earlier on Sunday, Speaker Ghimire held a meeting with the minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and chief whips of major political parties.

President Ram Chandra Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had a meeting at Sheetal Niwas on Sunday.

During the meeting held this afternoon, they discussed contemporary political issues of the country, the President’s private secretariat said.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government is committed to give an impetus to the country's economic transformation by keeping the morale of investors, including the industrialists and business community, high.

Inaugurating the Hyundai Motor Assembling Plant of Laxmi Motor Corporation in Nawalparasi today, PM Dahal stated that the country would be taken ahead on the journey of prosperity through economic development.

He said the economy would be strengthened by taking the private sector into confidence, asserting that the government is committed to facilitating the investment.

"The country's economy cannot be made robust without the investment of the private sector and the collaboration between the state and the private sector. The productivity cannot be increased and employment opportunities also cannot be created without this," PM Dahal said, adding that the government is always in support of creating a climate conducive to investment, promoting the private sector and security and facilitation in the investment areas.

Expressing the belief that the domestic and foreign investors would be attracted more towards the industry-friendly environment in Nepal with the operation of this new industry, he said import would be substituted and hundreds of skilled and semi-skilled laborers will get jobs along with industrialization.

The Prime Minister viewed that the consumers can buy vehicles at a fair price and a positive contribution would be there in consumption of domestic resource and electricity, a partnership in the local development and on the GDP as well when the motor assembling is done within the country itself.

"Our fiscal and monetary policies should be promotional, rather than restrictive. These policies and laws should contribute to the production and employment promotion," he said. The PM further said the domestic and external indicators of the economy are in the positive due to the consistent efforts of the government.

"The Third Investment Summit has concluded recently. The government has amended important Acts, bringing an ordinance on the eve of the Summit. This will play a key role in addressing the problems seen in the investment sector and also in encouraging and promoting the internal and external investment," he added.

The Prime Minister believed that the enthusiasm seen in the investment summit, the common viewpoint and commitment witnessed in the political parties of Nepal and the attraction of the investors have indicated towards Nepal soon becoming an attractive destination for investment.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed his confidence that with the implementation of Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project (SMDMP), there will be a quantitative contribution to the national economy.

Inaugurating a breakthrough of the SMDMP tunnel at Kanadhungri of Sunkoshi Rural Municipality-7 in Sindhuli district today, PM Dahal believed that the irrigation system will be improved and the agricultural produce would increase after the project is completed.

"This project will ensure irrigation facility to fertile land of five districts in Madhesh Province which will ensure qualitative contribution in the national economy besides generating electricity," Dahal said, addressing the event after inaugurating the breakthrough.

"The breakthrough of the tunnel under the project has been achieved, the remaining works of the Project would be completed within stipulated time," the PM hoped.

It may be noted that the breakthrough of the 13.3 kilometers long tunnel stretching from Kusumtar, Kamalamai Municipality-2 to Kanadhungri of Sunkoshi Rural Municipality-7 was completed a year ahead of the target.

Stating that the SMDMP was a transformative national project, PM Dahal opined that timely execution of such projects would significantly contribute in the goal of productivity increment and prosperity.

In his address, the Head of the Government mentioned that the breakthrough of the tunnel had infused new energy and encouragement in all of us and has added enthusiasm in construction of huge infrastructures.

Stating that the agriculture sector is the main backbone of Nepal's economic development and a sector to contribute nearly one third to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the PM argued that it was imperative to increase agricultural production and productivity so as to become self-sufficient in food supply, ensure food security and advance economic status of the people.

Sharing that 60 percent of arable land of Nepal is within Terai Madhesh and Inner Madhesh region, PM Dahal said that the irrigation projects being run in Terai-Madhesh zone were based on river water flow system.

Pressing for utilizing water that originated from glaciers for agricultural production, the PM on the occasion pledged to leverage the same source of water for generating electricity, drinking water supply and other purposes for overall development of the country.

Arguing that the goals of good-governance, social justice and prosperity could be achieved through the successful construction of the mega infrastructures, he instructed the concerned parties for timely completion of mega projects.

He also urged cooperation and support from all quarters for timely completion of transformative national projects.

According to him, the successful implementation of the SMDMP had spoken volume for the technical efficiency achieved by the technicians working in hydro power projects and the irrigation sector by optimizing new technology.

He viewed that by optimizing water resources, we could increase agricultural produce and productivity thereby reducing the imbalance of imports.

The PM also expressed that upon the operation of the SMDMP, the demography around Sunkoshi and Tamakoshi river basin area would witness multifaceted development for them.

He opined that fishery and tourism business would also boom in these areas with the operation of the project. The project is expected to provide irrigation facilities on 122, 000 hectares of land in Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari and Dhanusha districts.  

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal asserted that the policies, program and budget for the upcoming fiscal year would be introduced in a new manner.

Addressing the party cadres at Mulkot of Sunkoshi rural committee of CPN (Maoist Center) today, PM Dahal, also Chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Center), claimed that the national economy had improved a lot since he held the reign of the government. "Economy has improved a lot since I assumed the leadership of the government."

PM Dahal said that the upcoming policy, program and budget would be formulated by targeting those lagging behind in economic index thereby laying the foundation of socialism.

To make the government's upcoming policy and program more people-oriented, he said that suggestions would be solicited from various parties.

Furthermore, the Head of the Government said that the incumbent government had firmly taken forward the campaign for good-governance, social justice and prosperity, and had set a new record in the campaign of good-governance.

According to him, the incumbent government had worked hard to deliver justice for loan shark victims, to control smuggling of gold and bring to book the culprits of Lalita Niwas land grab scam among others.

He reaffirmed the commitment to continue with the pro-public works despite the fact that a few people did not like the reformative actions spearheaded by the government.

On a different note, the PM mentioned that the incumbent government had promoted Nepal's relations with international communities in a balanced manner and diplomatic relations of Nepal with other countries were further becoming stronger with the exchange of high-level visits in recent days.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and CPN (Maoist Center) Deputy General-Secretary Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Member of Parliament from Sindhuli district, Lekhnath Dahal, party leader and former Minister Haribol Gajurel and Bagmati Province Assembly member Yuwaraj Chaulagain, among others were present in the program.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has directed the authorities to complete remaining works of the Sunsari Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project in the designated time.

After enquiring about the project in the course of monitoring its site in Sunkoshi Rural Municipality today, PM Dahal directed to diagnose possible problems in the project and fix them in a timely manner, PM's personal secretariat informed.

"There may emerge several challenges in the multipurpose project having larger scope of work", PM Dahal said, adding, "Please be prepared with thinking, action plan and early preparation to identify and resolve the problem". 

He also instructed the authorities to work in a way to get returns of investment on time.

PM Dahal directed the project chiefs to prepare a concrete action plan for punishment and rewards to the project employees.

Stressing the need for completing the construction works related to barrage, powerhouse, electromechanical, transmission line, river control and social development works on time with high priority, the Prime Minister said that all the works as specified in the action plan and procurement master plan should be completed within the stipulated time.

Assuring that there would be no budget crunch as marine diversion is a transformative project of national pride, PM Dahal said that the government would fully facilitate the construction of the project.

Relatives of the Nepalis who have joined the Russian army met Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and urged him to take initiatives for the safe return of their family members.

During a meeting with the Prime Minister in Baluwatar today, they demanded that the government take initiatives for the rescue and safe return to the Nepalis serving in the Russian army.

In response, Prime Minister Dahal assured that he would take a high-level diplomatic initiative to bring Nepalis serving in the Russian army back home.

“The Prime Minister’s Office is committed to address your demands,” the Prime Minister said, adding, “The government has been constantly taking initiatives for the same. Initiatives have been taken through diplomatic note."

Saying that the government has been doing the needful to protect the lives of Nepali citizens, Prime Minister Dahal said that he is committed to address the demands of the families of the Nepalis working in the Russian army.

“High-level diplomatic initiatives will be made. It will also take the initiatives,” the Prime Minister said.

Mentioning that he had telephone conversations with the Nepalis who were on the battlefield, Prime Minister Dahal informed that he has been inquiring about their situation with the concerned persons through diplomatic channels.

Earlier, the families of the Nepalis serving in the Russian army had staged a demonstration in the Capital demanding the return of their loved ones from the war-torn country.

The Ashok Rai-led Janata Samajbadi Party, formed after the split of Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, has decided to continue its support to the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government.

A Parliamentary Party meeting of the Janata Samajbadi Party held in Kathmandu on Monday under the headship of Chairman Rai decided to continue his party’s support to the Dahal-led government, JSP Deputy General Secretary and federal lawmaker Pradeep Yadav informed.

The party has decided to continue its support to the Dahal-led incumbent government, reads a statement issued by JSP General Secretary Istiyak Rai on Monday evening.

Earlier on Monday itself, the Rai-led JSP had acquired the party registration certificate from the Election Commission.

Earlier on Sunday, Rai along with seven lawmakers had filed an application at the Election Commission for the registration of a new party.

The new party led by Rai has seven lawmakers including Pradeep Yadav, Renu Yadav, Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi, Birendra Mahato, Ranju Kumari, Hasina Khan and Sushila Shrestha.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has appealed to all the oppressed classes, ethnicities and communities to express their solidarity in implementing identity and the national issues.

At a program to declare the launching of the Bagmati Province Government's Language of Government Works Act, 2080 and the Language Day 2024 today, PM Dahal made this appeal, calling on the oppressed classes, castes and communities to protect their rights by identifying their true representative.

Referring to the establishment of a constitutional system with federalism, republicanism, secularism, inclusion and proportionality, the prime minister stressed that the solidarity of all should be expressed to complete the constitution.

"My party and I had waged a major struggle to establish identity and rights in the new constitution. We had played a decisive role for whatever rights were written in the constitution," Prime Minister Dahal said, "Therefore, I heartily appeal to all the oppressed classes, castes and communities on this historic occasion to recognize their real representatives and show solidarity in the implementation of the national issue of identity and rights."

Prime Minister Dahal expressed the belief that if sincere and continuous efforts are made, the remaining rights to be institutionalized in the constitution will gradually be established.

Stating that the constitution provides that in addition to the Nepali language, the province can decide on one or more other national languages spoken by the majority of the people in the province as the language for government works, the Prime Minister expressed his happiness that the Act passed by the Bagmati Provincial Assembly on the recommendation of the Language Commission to make provision for the provincial government's official language has been implemented.

Stating that he had decided to celebrate Nepal Sambat as a national calendar during his first term as Prime Minister, PM Dahal said it was decided to make Nepal Sambat mandatory in the official documents in his third term and clarified that the implementation of that decision is underway.

The Head of Government stressed on the need to strengthen internal nationalism along with establishing identity and rights, stating that today is a special day of pride for those who want independence, self-respect and prosperity of the country.

Prime Minister Dahal said, "This day has given important inspiration and energy to the aspiration and commitment to build a socialist-oriented advanced nation by ending the existing class, ethnic, regional, gender, and regional oppression in the country. Therefore, today is an important day for the oppressed castes like Newa, Tamang, etc."

Stating that he is constantly struggling for the identity and rights of all classes, castes, regions, genders and communities according to the characteristics and social structure of Nepali society, PM Dahal expressed the confidence this day will guide other provinces also towards addressing the linguistic, cultural rights by making the provincial laws as provided for in the constitution. It will also guide towards making the implementation of the Nepal Sambat further effective, he added.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa called on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and mutual interests, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat informed.

The Japanese foreign minister arrived in Kathmandu on a one-day visit this afternoon at the cordial invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

Prior to meeting the Prime Minister, she observed the Basantapur area of Kathmandu.

She spent about half-an hour there, seeing around Kalbhairab, Hanumandhoka and the Nepali cultural heritages and artifacts. She also bought a Buddha statue.

This is Kamikawa's first visit to Nepal after her appointment as Japan's Foreign Affairs Minister.

She will pay a courtesy call on President Ram Chandra Paudel today itself, the Foreign Ministry said.  

The Japanese foreign minister is scheduled to meet the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Shrestha today itself. Minister Shrestha will host a dinner in her honor.

Foreign Minister Kamikawa will leave for Japan tonight via Nepal Airlines plane.