Nepal's Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli Set for Crucial Confidence Vote Amid Political Challenges

Nepal's new Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, sworn in for the fourth time, will face a confidence vote in Parliament on July 21, as mandated by the Constitution. Despite likely securing the vote, his appointment faces legal challenges questioning its constitutionality. Oli aims to provide political stability amid Nepal's frequent governmental changes.

Nepal's newly appointed Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli is set to take a vote of confidence in Parliament on July 21, as required by the nation's Constitution. The chief whip of his party confirmed this on Wednesday.

The 72-year-old veteran leader was sworn in on Monday for his fourth term as the Prime Minister of the Himalayan nation. Oli's decision to take the vote of confidence on Sunday was reported by MyRepublica news portal, citing Mahesh Bertaula, the Chief Whip of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML).

Under Nepal's Constitution, Oli must secure a parliamentary vote of confidence within 30 days of his appointment. He is expected to easily meet the requisite 138 votes in the 275-strong House of Representatives (HoR). Oli was appointed by President Ram Chandra Paudel to lead a coalition government with the Nepali Congress (NC) and other smaller parties, succeeding Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda,' who lost the confidence vote last week.

Despite his swearing-in, Oli's appointment faces legal challenges. A writ petition has been filed in Nepal's Supreme Court by three advocates, Deepak Adhikari, Khagendra Prasad Chapagain, and Shailendra Kumar Gupta, arguing it was unconstitutional and seeking its annulment. They contend that the President should call for forming a new government under Article 76 (3) if a government formed per Article 76 (2) fails the floor test. The Supreme Court has set July 21 for a preliminary hearing – the same day Oli faces his parliamentary confidence vote.

(With inputs from agencies.)