Sole government of UML until mid-term elections, PSP ministers forced to leave post within 19 days

KATHMANDU: Following the Supreme Court’s order, a sole UML government led by KP Oli has been formed. Mahantha Thakur’s faction of the People’s Socialist Party (JSP), which had joined the current government after becoming ready to split the party, has had to leave the government within 19 days. 

PSP had joined the government on 4th June under the leadership of parliamentary party leader Rajendra Mahato. With the Supreme Court’s order, Deputy Prime Minister and Urban Development Minister Mahato and 8 other ministers and two ministers of state have been forced to vacate their posts. All the 4 ministers that remain in the cabinet are from UML. 

The 5-member cabinet, including the Prime Minister, will now remain in place until the next election. The government had dissolved the House of Representatives and announced mid-term elections on 12th and 19th November. However, the issue of dissolution of parliament and the issue of mid-term elections is under consideration at the apex court.