PM Dahal to take floor test on March 20

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has decided to hold a vote of confidence on March 20.

According to sources at the Office of the Prime Minister, Dahal came to the decision after consulting with senior leaders of the coalition partners. He plans to expand the cabinet after passing the floor test.

Dahal is currently under pressure as leaders of fringe parties are vying for attractive ministerial portfolios. That is why he is delaying cabinet expansion.

Currently, Dahal leads a seven-member cabinet after CPN-UML, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) left the government. As a result, most of the ministries are vacant.

Dahal was appointed Prime Minister on December 25 after striking a power-sharing deal with UML, RPP, RSP and Janamat Party.  At that time, he had expressed commitment to supporting the UML candidate for the post of President. Dahal, however, made a u-turn and said that he cannot support the candidate of UML in the presidential election. He went on to form a new coalition underlining the need to form a ‘national consensus’.

This forced other parties to withdraw their support and quit the government. UML and RPP have also withdrawn their support extended to the Dahal-led government.