Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has secured a vote of confidence in the House of Representatives.
A total of 157 members voted in favor of his motion of vote of confidence, while one abstained. Opposition parties boycotted the voting.
A total of 158 members participated in the voting. Lawmakers of the opposition parties surrounded well and chanted slogans against the government throughout the trust vote process on Monday.
This is the fourth time since the November 2022 election that Dahal has undergone floor tests in the House of Representatives.
Dahal decided to undergo a floor test after the Janata Samajbadi Party, Npeal (JSP Nepal) withdrew its support to his government. As per the constitutional provision, the Prime Minister must obtain a vote of confidence within 30 days if a coalition partner withdraws support.
The JSP Nepal withdrew its support and exited the government on May 13 after seven lawmakers of the party defected from the party and registered Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) with the Election Commission. JSP Nepal Chairperson has challenged the EC’s decision to formalize the party split at the Supreme Court.
Dahal was looking to obtain the trust vote before the apex court delivered its verdict on the petition, and he has succeeded.
NC will pay a heavy price: Dahal
Earlier, while soliciting support from lawmakers for his motion of vote of confidence, Dahal criticized obstruction of the process by the main opposition Nepali Congress. “This activity will be well established as a black spot in Nepal’s history,” Dahal said, adding that the NC has forgotten the support he has extended to it repeatedly.
“I want to tell all the honorable members of the NC, you did something very wrong today. You have set a bad precedent in history by not letting the Prime Minister take a vote of confidence as per the constitution. I want to express deep regret for that,” he said. “NC will have to pay a heavy price for this.”
