Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal and leader of the CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist), lost a vote of confidence in Parliament on Monday, failing to demonstrate that he has the backing of lawmakers to remain in power.
According to sources, 93 lawmakers voted in favor of PM Oli, 124 voted against him, and 15 voted neutrally, resulting in KP Oli’s defeat.
After coalition partner NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) withheld support last month, PM Oli faced a confidence vote.
The Parliament secretariat made special provisions for Covid-19 supportive MPs to share in the referendum.
The Nepali Prime Minister requested a vote of confidence in parliament today, attempting to demonstrate that he still has enough support to remain in power after an imminent second break within his ruling party.
In March, Prime Minister Oli’s Nepal Communist Party divided, leading him to head a minority government. “There is no excuse why parliament members do not accept and vote for me,” Oli said earlier in a legislative statement.
He has been chastised for his treatment of the coronavirus pandemic, which has resulted in the Himalayan nation registering the highest number of new cases and deaths in recent days.
Authorities have enforced a lockout in much of the country since last month, and it is expected to be extended as hospitals register a lack of beds, oxygen, and medicine.
Oli became Prime Minister three years ago after his party united with another communist party made up of former Maoist rebels and won elections.
However, he has clashed with the former rebel leader, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is now the party’s co-chair. Despite an earlier deal, Oli has declined to allow Dahal to replace him as prime minister or lead the party, creating tensions within the party.
Oli called for the dissolution of parliament in December and declared new elections for this year.
However, the Supreme Court recalled parliament and postponed the new elections.
