Political Turmoil in Nepal as CPN-UML Withdraws Support From Prachanda Government

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📷 Image Credits: The Hindu

Nepal’s political landscape is currently in a state of turmoil as the ruling ally CPN-UML has withdrawn its support from the Prachanda government, marking a significant shift in the country’s governance. The political dynamics in Nepal have been fraught with twists and turns, as Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has faced challenges in maintaining a stable government. Since his election as Prime Minister for the third time in December 2022, Prachanda has switched sides multiple times between the Nepali Congress (NC) and the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML).

The recent withdrawal of support by CPN-UML came after an agreement between NC, the largest party in parliament, and CPN-UML to form a new government. With 88 and 79 seats respectively in the 275-member House of Representatives, the two parties have expressed the need for constitutional amendments to ensure political stability in the country. This move has put pressure on Prachanda to resign and make way for the formation of a new government.

The political maneuvering in Nepal has sparked debates about the efficacy of the current electoral system and the need for constitutional amendments. The electoral system, which combines a First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system with Proportional Representation (PR), has led to frequent changes in government and challenges in forming stable administrations. The NC and CPN-UML, while advocating for constitutional changes, are faced with the challenge of securing a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament for the amendments.

As the political landscape in Nepal undergoes significant changes, concerns have been raised about the future governance of the country. The alliance between NC and CPN-UML, aimed at ushering in political stability through constitutional reforms, has raised questions about the efficacy of the proposed changes and the impact on Nepal’s democratic principles. The coming days will be crucial as the country navigates through this period of political uncertainty and transitions towards a new government.