Nepal: KP Sharma Oli Stakes Claim To Lead New Govt After Prachanda Loses Trust Vote

Former Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli claimed to lead a new majority government under Article 76(2), supported by 165 lawmakers from UML and Nepali Congress.

Former Nepal Prime Minister and UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli on Friday staked his claim to lead a new majority government under Article 76 (2) of the constitution. Oli presented his claim to Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel, supported by 165 lawmakers, including 77 from his party and 88 from the Nepali Congress, Kathmandu Post reported. Despite the backing from fringe parties such as the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), JSP-Nepal, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, Janamat Party, and Nagarik Unmukti Party for a Congress-UML coalition government, Oli’s claim was based solely on the support of UML and Congress members.

"We have staked a claim for the new government before the President. Now, it’s up to him to decide when to make the appointment," stated Ramesh Lekhak, the Congress chief whip, as quoted by Kathmandu Post's report.

Earlier on Friday, Nepal President Paudel had called upon members of the House of Representatives to stake their claim for the prime ministerial post, demonstrating a majority with the support of two or more political parties. The Office of the President issued a statement urging House members to present their majority by Sunday evening.

"The President, in accordance with Article 76 (2) of the constitution, calls on House of Representative members to show a majority in order to be appointed as the prime minister of Nepal with the support of two or more political parties of the House of Representatives by 5 pm on Sunday," the statement read.

Article 76 (2) of the constitution specifies that if no party holds a clear majority in the House of Representatives, the President shall appoint as prime minister a member who commands a majority with the support of two or more parties in the lower house, the report mentioned.

This comes as Puspa Kamal Dahal failed to secure a vote of confidence during a floor test in the House of Representatives, garnering only 63 votes in favour out of the required 138 in the 275-member House. A total of 194 lawmakers voted against him, with one abstaining. In total, 258 lawmakers were present during the meeting.