Monumental Mandate

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda Tuesday won a historic mandate in the House of Representatives (HoR) to lead the seven-party coalition government. PM Prachanda secured 268 votes in 275-member HoR during the vote of confidence. Out of 271 lawmakers who were present in the House, 268 voted for Prachanda. Only two lawmakers – Chitra Bahadur KC of Rastriya Janamorcha and Prem Suwal of Nepal Workers and Peasant Party cast their vote against him. Prachanda is a second prime minister after late Manamohan Adhikari to receive the support of overwhelming members of parliament. Adhikari had garnered the votes of all lawmakers (198) present in the vote of confidence in 205-member House in 2051 B.S. In addition to the votes of the ruling alliance, Premier Prachanda mustered the support of the largest party, Nepali Congress, CPN-Unified Socialist, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party and some independent lawmakers. 

With the backing of the most of the lawmakers, Prachanda’s third innings in the head of highest executive post has got off to a flying start. This must have infused greater confidence in the new coalition government that is grappling with multitude of challenges of ensuring stability, good governance and prosperity for the nation. Prachanda was appointed the new Prime Minister with the support of 169 members under Article 76(2) constitution. He had to secure a vote of confidence from the parliament within 30 days of the appointment. The backing of major and minor parties for the new dispensation amply suggests they have again demonstrated the spirit of consensus, cooperation and collaboration at a time when the nation stares at another round of instability after no party clinched majority in the November 20 elections. 

Addressing the parliament while seeking the vote of confidence, PM Prachanda said that there was no alternative to national consensus for the overall development of the nation. “I am committed to advance the politics of consensus, co-work and mutual trust by putting aside the politics of negation, insult and revenge,” he said, adding that Nepal’s major political changes in 1951, 1990 and 2006 became possible when there was the Left-Democratic alliance. He rightly underlined the fact that the country was forced to plunge into political crisis when the communist and democratic forces were divided and failed to work together. By mentioning the Left-Democratic alliance, the PM was apparently referring to NC’s vote for him during the vote of confidence. NC has decided to vote for him to safeguard the constitution and federal republican system.

Left and democratic forces had fought together to overthrow the autocratic regimes and usher the nation in democratic era. The latest of such collaboration included the 12-point Understanding in 2005, Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2006, elections of Constituent Assembly in 2008 and 2013, and promulgation of new constitution in 2015, which converted the country into federal, secular and publican state. The PM has said that the country needed at least 600 billion rupees to bring about transformative changes to the nation. There is the need for consensus among the parties on the matter of nationality, national security, foreign relations, economy and strategic infrastructure. The parties must formulate strategy to resolve the economic crisis facing the country. The Common Minimum Programme the ruling parties have brought the other day has become a guideline to govern the country. Unprecedented support that PM Prachanda has secured from the lawmakers will enable him to take the nation on the firm path of nation-building.