Nepal PM Prachanda secures fourth vote of confidence in Parliament within 18 months

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, won a vote of confidence in Parliament on Monday. This marks the fourth time he has sought such a vote since taking office 18 months ago. Despite loud protests from the main opposition party, the Nepali Congress, Prachanda secured 157 votes in the 275-member House of Representatives. The Nepali Congress abstained from voting and chanted slogans against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, who is accused of misappropriating cooperative funds. This led to a delay in the session. One member remained neutral, and Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire confirmed that Prachanda had won the vote.

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Opposition protests and Parliamentary disruptions

The vote took place shortly after the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), a coalition partner, withdrew its support for Prachanda's government, leaving him to seek a new vote of confidence. The government needed at least 138 votes to win. The opposition Nepali Congress caused obstructions, demanding an investigation into Lamichhane's alleged involvement in financial misconduct. Their protests delayed the voting process. 

This recent vote comes just months after Prachanda's previous confidence vote on March 13, which he also won. Last year, he faced a similar challenge when the CPN-UML, led by former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, withdrew support due to disagreements over the presidential election.

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Despite these challenges, Prachanda continues to lead the government, relying on support from a majority of lawmakers in the House of Representatives. His ability to secure this vote reinforces his position, even amid political turmoil and opposition protests.