Nepal’s Oli wins vote of confidence with support from Madhesi parties

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Oli sailed through a vote of confidence on Sunday with twothirds majority, the first such feat for a ruling alliance since the restoration of democracy, with support from two Madhesi parties.

Having gained the backing of Madhes-based Rastriya Janata Party Nepal and Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum, the ruling Left Alliance of CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) now has a clear majority in the 275-seat parliament. Out of the 268 votes cast, Oli received 208, with 60 opposing the motion.

The floor test is significance as all major posts such as president, vice president, prime minister, speaker and deputy speaker will go to the ruling parties. Rastriya Janata Party Nepal and Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum, which have 17 and 16 seats respectively in the House, are likely to join the government and have been bargaining for the posts of vice president and deputy speaker.

Their support to Oli came as a surprise to many, given their past acrimony. Oli was considered an “anti-Madhesi” leader. He had often lashed out in public against Madhesi leaders and never tried to hear their demands.

Opposition Nepali Congress alleged that Oli was trying to become an “authoritarian” ruler. “We cannot understand the intent behind the two-thirds majority when he is sitting in comfortable majority,” said NC leader Gagan Thapa.

“Isn’t he wanting to become an authoritarian ruler with twothird votes?,” he asked.

“We have seen monarchs in the past that used to exercise such political power, met political accidents and were stripped from powers,” he added.