Nepal PM to face third floor test as coalition party withdraws support

After a parliamentary and central committee meeting, led by Rabi Lamichhane, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) made the decision to withdraw its support, which has compelled the Prime Minister to undergo another round of floor tests, reported ANI.

"The Prime Minister had expressed the desire that we join the cabinet, but the performance of the government and works being done aren't encouraging," Lamichhane told ANI.

"In the by-election also, the voters voted in our favour sending a clear message to not join the ministerial portfolios but remain in opposition."

"Honouring the mandate, we have decided not to join the government and withdraw the support," he added.

Due to the decision made by the Rastriya Swatantra Party, the Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, will have to face a third round of vote of confidence within a month, in accordance with Article 100, Clause 2 of the Nepalese Constitution. 

This provision states that a vote of confidence is required when any political party withdraws support from the government.

The Prime Minister will be forced to step down if he is unable to acquire a vote of confidence.

It is noteworthy that the Rastriya Swatantra Party left the government two months after its establishment, yet still continued to offer help.

Prime Minister Dahal will have to undergo another floor test by the first week of June 2023. During his first vote of confidence on January 10, he secured an astounding 99% of the votes, with 268 votes in his favor. 

This was the first time in Nepal's parliamentary history that a Prime Minister received more than 99% of the votes in parliament. However, on March 20, he was only able to secure 172 votes from 10 parties. 

The formation of a 25-member cabinet has been challenging due to the hung parliament and an overcrowded ministerial enthusiast from the coalition partners.

As a result, he is still struggling to complete his council of ministers.