Nepal PM Prachanda Faces Political Crisis as RSP Decides to Stay in Government

Nepal’s Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has decided not to leave the government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, despite a political crisis caused by the CPN-UML withdrawing support.

RSP ministers initially planned to resign but changed their minds after meeting with Dahal. “We went to meet Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal carrying resignation letters. He apprised us that he will exercise his constitutional rights and face the parliament. We also asked him to take the floor test soon and our ministers didn’t tender resignation,” said Santosh Pariyar, chief whip of the party.

Dahal, now leading a minority government, must face a floor test within 30 days. The Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have formed an alliance to create a new government.

In the 275-member house, Nepali Congress has 88 seats, CPN-UML 79, RSP 20, and the Maoist Centre led by Dahal has 32 seats. Dahal has been switching sides and garnering support from different political parties. He has not yet announced the date for seeking a vote of confidence in the House of Representatives.

Dahal was appointed as the Prime Minister by then President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on December 25, 2022, after he showed the support of 169 lawmakers.