With the CPN (Maoist Centre) on Tuesday withdrawing support to the CPN(UML)-led coalition government in Nepal, the next step that Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli takes now is being keenly watched in Kathmandu's political circles. Will he resign or face a no-trust motion, or even himself seek a confidence vote, the ruling party has not yet made clear.
Prime Minister Oli, who is also Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), has called a meeting of the party's Standing Committee later during the day to discuss the next step after the not very surprising move by the CPN (Maoist Centre) of Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.
Chances are slim of a government led by the Nepali Congress, the largest party in Parliament, as it has already given a written assurance to the CPN (Maoist Centre) to support it in the formation of the next government.
Oli has, meanwhile, begun preparations to face a no-confidence motion in parliament instead of resigning after the Maoist pullout.
UML Chief Whip Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal said the party will follow parliamentary rules. "This government has done some good works. The withdrawal is the result of those good works," he said. "We will face Parliament over this issue."
Prime Minister Oli has also started discussions with his aides over the future course of action to be adopted by the government.
The next move, according to legal eagles, is that either the Maoists or Nepali Congress should register a motion of no-confidence against the government, or the Prime Minister himself can register a motion in the House seeking a trust vote.
The Maoist Centre has said the government failed to implement the past understanding reached with it by the Prime Minister, failed to implement the Constitution, of slow reconstruction work after last year's quake and that Oli also failed to reach out to the agitating Madhes-based parties to address their demands.
The Maoists have eight ministers in the Oli goverment, including one Deputy Prime Minister.
In a letter to Prime Minister Oli, Maoist Centre Chairman Dahal has said that the government failed to implement the nine-point deal signed between the UML and Maoist Centre and a separate three-point 'Gentleman's Agreement' time and again despite repeated calls from his party. He also informed the Premier that all eight Maoist Ministers have been recalled effective Tuesday.
"It has been politically difficult to continue support to your government due to lack of implementation of past understandings and accords," Dahal wrote in the letter.
(Anil Giri can be contacted at girianil@gmail.com)
--IANS
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