Nepal faction of UML to help Deuba get a vote of confidence

KATHMANDU: When the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba takes a vote of confidence, the Madhav Nepal side of the CPN (UML) will be supporting him. Central member of the Nepal side Metmani Chaudhary said that they will give a vote of confidence to Deuba even if the entire UML does not do so. 

KP Sharma Oli was removed from the post of Prime Minister after 146 lawmakers, including 23 from the UML’s Nepal side, filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court. The Supreme court ruled on the writ petition and ordered Deuba to be appointed as the prime minister.

“It has been asked that everybody give a vote of confidence to Deuba, otherwise at least the 23 of us will certainly do so,” Chaudhary told Nepal Press. “We will give a vote of confidence without second thought. Otherwise, this system will not last.”

Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Deuba has been appointed as the Prime Minister and is taking charge in accordance with Article 76 (5) of the Constitution. However, Deuba must take a vote of confidence in the House of Representatives within 30 days. The decision of the Supreme Court also states that the party whip will not be used when the Prime Minister appointed under Article 76 (5) of the Constitution takes a vote of confidence. If Deuba fails to get a vote of confidence, the House of Representatives will be automatically dissolved and the country will move towards elections.

At a meeting of the opposition coalition held on Monday, the same day as the Supreme Court’s decision, Leader Nepal had announced his withdrawal from the coalition. Stating that the decision of the Supreme Court and the 10-point agreement reached in the task force has created a new situation in the party, Leader Nepal had urged other leaders to resolve the situation.

After the verdict, the Oli faction is not satisfied with Madhav Nepal. UML central office secretary Sher Bahadur Tamang says that there is no possibility of conversation, due to Nepal’s activities after the verdict. He said “After his activities post the verdict, the situation doesn’t seem to be so positive.”

The establishment side is angry with the Nepal side after Oli had to resign as the Nepal side went to the Supreme Court in accordance with the opposition alliance. Central member of the Nepal faction Chaudhary said that it was a pain and impulse to leave Baluwatar and that this would only last for a short time.

The day before the Supreme Court’s decision, the task force formed to resolve the dispute had reached a 10-point agreement. The task force has already handed over the report of the agreement to both Oli and Nepal.

It was agreed in the working group that the agreement would be approved by the Standing Committee and the Central Committee respectively, before which Oli and Nepal would meet and finalize it.