Kathmandu, July 22
Buoyed by backing from the main opposition Nepali Congress and the United Democratic Madheshi Front, CPN-Maoist Centre Chair Prachanda presented a no-confidence motion against the KP Oli government in the Parliament on Friday.
Subsequently, Speaker Onsari Gharti allotted three days for discussions on the motion starting Saturday.
Earlier, the government presented three budget-related Bills in the Parliament. The Maoist party voted against the Bills and the Parliament rejected it.
This initial setback points that the Oli government will not survive the no-confidence motion unless the impossible happens. Nepali Congress leader Bimalendra Nidhi has claimed that they already have 341 votes in favour of the no-confidence motion. In the Parliament, the Congress and the Centre have 206 and 82 lawmakers, respectively. On top of it, the United Democratic Madheshi Front has also said it will vote in favour of the motion. NC and Centre claim that small parties like the CPN-United will also support the motion against PM Oli.
Prachanda tirade
After the rejection of the Bills, Prachanda presented the no-confidence motion. Despite early indications that he may not (verbally) attack the CPN-UML and PM Oli, Prachanda could not keep his emotions in check, describing Oli as anti-republican and anti-federalist.
Prachanda accused PM Oli of compelling him to break the ruling alliance, while PM Oli listened with patience.
The Maoist leader also stressed the need to maintain national unity and strengthen nationalism.
During his hourlong speech, Prachanda touched upon many issues, but Maoist lawmakers themselves said his speech was not as powerful as it used to be.
Nembang wins hearts
During the four-hour meeting, former Speaker and deputy leader of the CPN-UML Parliamentary Party, Subas Nembang, was the last speaker. But he delivered the most powerful speech of the day, winning hearts and minds in and outside the Parliament. His speech elicited widespread praise on social media. PM Oli seemed highly impressed with the way Nembang defended him.
Silver lining
At Friday’s meeting, the United Democratic Madheshi Front appeared in a different avatar. UDMF lawmakers, who had been boycotting the House to show their opposition to the new Constitution, took part in the day’s parliamentary proceedings from the beginning till the end. Pointing at the presence of UDMF lawmakers in the Parliament, Minister for Finance Bishnu Poudel said albeit sarcastically: Now, no one is dissatisfied with the Constitution. Poudel took UDMF’s presence in the House as proof of participation of all parties in the implementation of the Charter.
Prachanda welcomed Poudel’s remarks, but continued to fire salvo at PM Oli. Prachanda said: Because of PM Oli, UDMF could not take part fully in the implementation of the Charter. No UDMF leader took part in this exchange, though Gopal Dahit of the Tharuhat Party, which had also rejected the Constitution, joined in.
Nembang pointed: The UDMF has taken part in the implementation of the Constitution. Its leaders Upendra Yadav and Ashok Rai, among others, have signed on the no-confidence motion tabled as per the Constitution. Now, there’s no one in this House, who has rejected the Constitution.
Enter PM Oli
Prime Minister Oli did not attend a meeting of top political leaders convened earlier in the day to reach an understanding. He sent UML leader and former Speaker Subas Nembang and Deputy Prime Minister Bhim Rawal instead. But he arrived at the Parliament building after it became clear that Friday’s meeting will convene. He listened to the discussions with patience.
Conspicuous absence
Surprisingly, Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar was not present at Friday’s meeting, though Ram Janam Chaudhary, Minister for Health and leader of Gachchhadar’s party, Madheshi Janadhikar Forum-Democratic, was present. There are rumours that Gachchhadar has withdrawn support to the government, but the party has not made a formal decision yet.
