Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, commonly known as Prachanda, secured a vote of confidence in Parliament, marking his fourth such victory since assuming office 18 months ago. The vote, held amid slogans from the main Opposition Nepali Congress, saw Prachanda, a former guerrilla leader from the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), receiving 157 votes in the 275-member House of Representatives. The Nepali Congress abstained from the vote, boycotting the process and chanting slogans against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane over alleged misappropriation of cooperative funds.
The voting process witnessed 158 lawmakers participating, with one House member remaining neutral. Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire declared Prachanda the winner of the floor test, having secured a majority in Parliament. This vote followed the withdrawal of support from one of the coalition partners, the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), leading to tensions within the government.
The government's requirement of at least 138 votes for the vote of confidence was met, despite disruptions caused by the Nepali Congress demanding a Parliamentary probe committee to investigate Lamichhane's alleged involvement in the financial scandal. This marks the fourth time Prachanda has sought and won a vote of confidence since becoming Prime Minister in December 2022, in line with constitutional provisions mandating a vote of confidence after an ally withdraws support from the ruling coalition.
Prachanda's tenure has been marked by political challenges, including previous instances where he faced floor tests due to withdrawals of support from coalition partners. Notably, he secured his third consecutive vote of confidence on March 13, 2024. These political maneuvers highlight the delicate balance of power and coalition dynamics within Nepal's political landscape, as parties navigate shifting alliances and parliamentary procedures.
