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Nepal President calls on parties to form new government

WION
Kathmandu, NepalWritten By: Saloni MurarkaUpdated: May 21, 2021, 11:55 PM IST
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Nepal's President Bidya Devi Bhandari (C) walks with officials Photograph:(AFP)

Story highlights

Prime Minister Oli in a press conference today defended the President and his recommendation to call for an alternative government

At the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, President Bidya Devi Bhandari has called lawmakers to form a new government in less than 24 hours. 

President Bhandari has given the members of House of Representatives till 5:00 pm on Friday to claim a majority. 

Prime Minister Oli in a press conference today defended the President and his recommendation to call for an alternative government. 

He criticised the opposition for not allowing the government to function. Oli said, he is in a favor of forming a consensus government democratically. 

“A faction within the CPN-UML is tearing apart the system and values,” PM said referring to the Nepal-Khanal faction. 

Oli was sworn in as the Prime Minister for being the leader of the largest party in the Parliament on May 14 in accordance with the Article 76 (3). 

Article 76 (4) of the constitution stipulates that the Prime Minister must take a vote of confidence within 30 days of being appointed. 

However, Oli has decided to pave the way for the formation of a new government, arguing that there has been no change in the current political landscape. 

The main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) has called for the formation of a new government accusing the president and prime minister of ‘violating the rules and procedures’ and said they would discuss all options with parties. 

Leaders of various parties have reacted on social media on the President’s move. 

Former Prime Minister and Janata Samajbadi Party leader Baburam Bhattarai has called on to make sacrifices to form an alternative government. 

Former Deputy Prime Minister and Maoist Centre leader Narayan Shrestha has called the move “regressive”. 

Chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Prakash Chandra Lohani said the move is ‘unfortunate for the country’. 

THREE MAJOR EVENTS ON MAY 20 TURNED THE NEPAL POLITICS 

First, the Supreme Court issued an interim stating that the appointment of seven former CPN-Maoist Centre leaders, who no longer are members of parliament, as ministers is unconstitutional. 

Second, CPN-UML candidate Ram Bahadur Thapa lost the by-election for the vacant National Assembly seat. 

Third, President Bidya Devi Bhandari called on Members of Parliament to file a vote of confidence motion in House of Representatives in accordance with Article 76 (5) of the Constitution of Nepal.