Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, who successfully passed a crucial floor test in Parliament on Sunday with more than a two-thirds majority, pledged to usher in a "new era" in Nepali politics, nearly a week after assuming leadership of a coalition government in the politically turbulent Himalayan nation.
Oli garnered 188 votes in favor of the Vote of Confidence motion he had tabled, while 74 votes were cast against him. Out of the 263 members present in the House of Representatives, one member abstained. Securing 138 votes was necessary for Oli, 72, to pass the floor test in the lower house of Parliament.
Speaker Devraj Ghimire officially declared, "I announce that the motion of the vote of confidence tabled by Prime Minister Oli has been passed with a majority."
"We need to construct a modern, orderly, and democratic society. This does not imply anarchy. Democracy and anarchy are distinctly different. We aim for disciplined democracy, a comprehensive democracy that permeates every sector—not just in word but in practice," the veteran Communist leader emphasized.
Expressing optimism about collaboration with other political parties, Oli stated, "The Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) CPN-UML are moving in this direction. I believe other parties are also recognizing this reality. Let us initiate a new chapter in Nepali politics."
With Oli securing more than a two-thirds majority, the new coalition government is expected to propose amendments to the Constitution. According to Nepal's Constitution, Oli was required to win a vote of confidence from Parliament within 30 days of assuming office, which he did after being sworn in for a fourth time as Nepal's Prime Minister on Monday.
Earlier, while presenting the motion seeking a vote of confidence in his government, Oli disclosed the details of a seven-point agreement reached between the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML earlier in the month.
"We may have ideological differences, but there have been instances of cooperation between the Congress and the UML," Oli remarked. "This agreement is an extension of that cooperation. Together, we have committed to safeguard national interests, combat corruption, enhance governance, expedite development activities, and ensure political stability as desired by the people."
Regarding governance, Oli asserted, "My government will not tolerate corruption nor allow it to occur. We will move forward confidently towards good governance."
Addressing allegations of past misconduct, Oli affirmed, "The planned constitutional amendments are in the best interest of the country and the welfare of its people. We aim to make the Constitution more effective, protect democracy, ensure good governance, and accelerate development."
During the floor test, lawmakers from the ruling coalition parties—including Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Lokatantrik Samajwadi Party, and Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal—supported Oli's Vote of Confidence motion. Opposition parties such as CPN-Maoist Centre, CPN-Unified Socialist, Rashtriya Swotantra Party, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party voted against him.
President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed CPN-UML Chairman Oli as Prime Minister on Sunday to lead a coalition government with Nepali Congress, the largest party in Parliament, alongside smaller parties. Oli succeeded Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda,' who lost a vote of confidence on July 12, leading to his resignation.
Facing the challenge of providing political stability in Nepal, Oli now heads the new coalition government amid the nation's frequent political upheavals, which have seen 14 governments in the past 16 years since the advent of the Republican system.
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