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The Nepali Congress, the largest party, and the CPN-UML, the second largest party, have joined hands to form a new political alliance and are pushing for a government of ‘national consensus.’

Photo: RSS

Kathmandu: The two largest parties in the House of Representatives have requested Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as ‘Prachanda,’ to step down following recent political developments. 

The Nepali Congress, the largest party, and the CPN-UML, the second largest party, have joined hands to form a new political alliance and are pushing for a government of ‘national consensus.’

The secretariat meeting of the CPN-UML on Tuesday decided to urge Prime Minister Dahal to step down to pave the way for the formation of a government in accordance with Article 76 (2) of the constitution, as agreed upon by the UML and the Nepali Congress. Similarly, the Nepali Congress decided on Wednesday to request PM Dahal to resign from his position.

However, Prime Minister Dahal, who has faced political challenges after his ally, the CPN-UML, allied with the Nepali Congress, has decided to face a vote of confidence in parliament rather than resign immediately. A meeting of Maoist leaders held in Baluwatar on Tuesday decided that Prime Minister Dahal will face parliament within 30 days, as per the constitution of Nepal, said Maoist secretary Devendra Paudel.

According to Article 100 (2) of the constitution, if the political party that the prime minister represents is divided or if a political party in a coalition government withdraws its support, the prime minister must table a motion in the House of Representatives for a vote of confidence within 30 days.

On Monday, in a new twist of political events, the two largest parties in parliament—the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML—decided to form a new alliance, with the latter’s chair, KP Sharma Oli, leading the government. With this new development, KP Sharma Oli is set to be appointed prime minister for the third time. Oli will lead the government for the next one and a half years, while Congress chair Sher Bahadur Deuba will become prime minister for another one and a half years.