Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has won the vote of confidence amid disruption from opposition parties at the House of Representatives meeting on Monday.
A total of 158 lawmakers participated in the voting. Of them, PM Dahal garnered 157 votes in his favor whereas one abstained.
Speaker Devraj Ghimire announced that Prime Minister Dahal won the vote of confidence from the House of Representatives.
The main opposition, the Nepali Congress, did not participate in the voting. After the Speaker announced the house proceddings, Congress lawmakers gathered around the well, and chanted slogans demanding a house panel be formed to investigate allegations against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.
Despite obstruction from the main opposition, the Prime Minister sought the vote of confidence as per Article 100 (2) of the Constitution.
Addressing the meeting, Dahal talked about the achievements made since he became Prime Minister, including the Nagdhunga tunnel and Sunkoshi marine tunnel.
“Since Samajwadi Janata Party withdrew its support from the government, I stand here again, to seek your vote of confidence. I respect their decision. But, I request all to face the challenge that exists in the country together. The President has already presented the policy and programs for this year and the discussion for upcoming budget is underway,” said Dahal adding, “I won’t take much of your time but all I want to say is I was already committed everything I had said during my first address to the House as a Prime Minister. On the basis of the report card of achievements made till date, I want to seek the vote of confidence of this House. We have many more works to complete including 16th Plan and other long term projects including development projects with neighboring countries, which is impossible without the support from this House.”
To second PM Dahal, Parliamentarian Bishnu Paudel said that the same scene was visible when Dahal sought vote of confidence initially as a PM. “This time too the same disruption is seen. But, I hope all of us here will exercise our right for the better future of Nepal and head the country towards development.”
During the discussion session, PM Dahal expressed his dissatisfaction over the disruption by Nepali Congress. “I stand here to answer the questions raised during discussion. The leaders who are present here, protesting and disrupting the session, especially from the Nepali Congress. I want to say that whatever you have done today is extremely, extremely wrong is what I feel. In the history of Nepal… the Prime Minister who supported you every single time, and this time too, the Prime minister who put every effort to bring you to a path of consensus. By not letting the Prime Minister take his vote of confidence today as per Constitution, you have set a really bad example in the history. I want to express my deep sadness over your act. For Nepali Congress, this act will pay a heavy price. These activities you created today will be established in the history but as a big blemish. That’s all I want to say.”
After PM Dahal won the vote of confidence, all other regular proceedings were canceled.
The next House session will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 am.
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