CPN (Unified Socialist) Issues Whip to Vote Against PM Oli as Confidence Vote Looms

The CPN (Unified Socialist) has issued a directive to its lawmakers to vote against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, according to party leader Metmani Chaudhary. This comes as newly appointed Prime Minister Oli is set to face a vote of confidence today.

The Constitution of Nepal requires a Prime Minister appointed with the support of two or more political parties to seek a vote of confidence within 30 days of their appointment. In the 275-member House of Representatives (HoR), PM Oli must secure the support of at least 138 members to win the confidence vote.

With backing from the Nepali Congress, UML, Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP), and Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP), PM Oli appears poised to secure the vote. He currently enjoys the support of 177 lawmakers: 88 from the Nepali Congress, 78 from the UML, seven from the JSP, and four from the LSP.

In addition, three other parties that have not formally joined the government have announced their support for PM Oli. These include the Janamat Party with six lawmakers, JSP Nepal with five lawmakers, and the Nagarik Unmukti Party with four lawmakers.