PM Dahal set to take fourth floor test

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is scheduled to take a vote of confidence in the House of Representatives on Monday.

According to the Federal Parliament Secretariat, a meeting of the lower house has been called for 11 am for the purpose.

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.

Prime Minister Dahal is looking to obtain the trust vote before the apex court decides on the issue.

Nepali Congress (NC), which has been obstructing the Hosue session demanding the formation of a parliamentary inquiry committee to probe cooperative fraud allegations against Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Rabi Lamichhane. The party has said that it would obstruct Monday’s session of the House of Representatives as well.

This is the fourth time after the November 2022 polls that Dahal is taking a floor test.