Kathmandu: In a significant setback to the coalition government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister and senior Madhesi leader, Upendra Yadav, tendered his resignation on Monday, leading to his party’s withdrawal from the government.
Upendra Yadav, who also served as the Minister for Health and Population, submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Prachanda, according to sources familiar with the matter. Additionally, Minister of State for Forest and Environment, Dipak Karki, from the same party, also resigned.
Yadav’s resignation, as the Chairman of Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal (JSP-Nepal), comes in the wake of his party’s recent split into two factions, with senior leader Ashok Rai establishing a new party named Janata Samajwadi Party, recognized by the Election Commission.
“In light of the current political circumstances, I find it untenable to continue my cooperation with the government,” stated Upendra Yadav, explaining his decision to resign.
Previously holding 12 lawmakers in the House of Representatives (HoR), the JSP-Nepal’s strength has now dwindled to 5, following Rai and six other lawmakers’ departure, along with 30 central committee members, to join the new party.
Despite the setback, the ruling coalition, spearheaded by Prime Minister Prachanda, maintains a majority in the HoR, comprising 77 seats of the CPN-UML, 32 of the Maoist Centre, 21 of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, seven of the newly formed Janata Samajbadi Party, and 10 seats of the CPN-Unified Socialist (CPN-US). The coalition requires a minimum of 138 seats in the 275-member House of Representatives to assert its majority.
“The party’s withdrawal from the government may not have an immediate impact,” remarked Sunil Manandhar, former environment minister and central committee member of the ruling CPN-Maoist Centre, although he acknowledged potential long-term repercussions on government stability.
Reports suggest that the Opposition Nepali Congress is endeavoring to rally support from JSP-Nepal and CPN-US, led by former prime minister Madhav Nepal, to challenge the Prachanda-led government. Nepali Congress has been obstructing House of Representatives proceedings, demanding the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ravi Lamichhene, who also presides over the Rastriya Swotantra Party, citing issues related to misappropriation of cooperative funds.
If CPN-US also withdraws support, it could compel the Prachanda-led government to undergo a vote of confidence in the House of Representatives, speculate political observers.
