How will the coalition fare after RSP’s exit?

KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has left the government in just 42 days.

RSP President Rabi Lamichhane told mediapersons on Sunday that the party, however, will continue its support to the coalition government.

This means the coalition government won’t face any problem immediately. Dahal has the support of 78 lawmakers of CPN-UML, 32 of CPN (Maoist Center), 20 of RSP, 14 of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), 12 of Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), six of Janamat Party, four of Nagarik Unmukti Party, and three independent lawmakers.

The coalition government will maintain its majority even if the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) withdraws its support. However, it is not clear from the constitution if Prime Minister Dahal will need to undergo another floor test if the party that previously gave a confidence vote withdraws its support.

Ministers representing the RSP in the coalition government have already tendered their resignations.

The RSP joined Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on December 26. Lamichhane was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs along with Dahal. It also had two other ministers and one minister of state in the cabinet.

The party was at loggerheads with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal regarding the Home Affairs portfolio. After the Supreme Court invalidated Lamichhane’s citizenship and declared him ineligible to hold public positions, the party had to vacate the Home Affairs portfolio. However, after Lamichhane restored his citizenship, the RSP staked its claim to the home ministry. But Dahal denied it, forcing RSP to part ways with the government.