After facing multiple attempts to seek a vote of confidence, Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's coalition government has finally fallen as he lost the floor test in the House of Representatives. With only 63 lawmakers supporting him, far below the required 138 votes, Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire officially announced the rejection of Dahal's motion for trust. This comes after the withdrawal of support from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) and an agreement between the CPN-UML and the main opposition Nepali Congress to form a new coalition government.
Political Turmoil in Nepal: PM Dahal Resigns After Losing Vote of Confidence
Nepal's political landscape has been shaken after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, resigned following his failure to secure a vote of confidence in the House of Representatives. The resignation marks a significant shift in the country's political dynamics and raises questions about the future of the coalition government.
Background:
Prachanda, a former rebel leader, became Prime Minister for the third time in December 2022 after leading a coalition of seven parties, including the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) (CPN-UML) and the Maoist Centre, which he chairs. However, the coalition faced challenges from the outset. The CPN-UML, led by former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, had grown increasingly dissatisfied with Prachanda's leadership and had demanded his resignation.
Loss of Support and Vote of Confidence:
In February 2023, the CPN-UML withdrew its support from the coalition government, accusing Prachanda of violating their agreement to share power equitably. This left the government with only 98 lawmakers, well short of the 138 votes required for a majority in the 275-member House of Representatives.
Faced with the loss of support, Prachanda decided to seek a vote of confidence to prove his majority and stay in power. However, the vote held on February 9, 2023, proved disastrous for the Prime Minister. With only 63 lawmakers supporting him, Prachanda lost the vote by a wide margin.
Resignation and Aftermath:
Following the vote, Prachanda submitted his resignation to President Bidya Devi Bhandari, who accepted it. The resignation has paved the way for a new coalition government to be formed. The CPN-UML and the main opposition Nepali Congress have already reached an agreement to work together and form a new government.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
1. Who is Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda)? Prachanda is a former rebel leader and three-time Prime Minister of Nepal. He is the chairman of the Maoist Centre, a political party that emerged from the country's decade-long civil war.
2. Why did Prachanda lose the vote of confidence? Prachanda lost the vote of confidence after the CPN-UML withdrew its support from the coalition government. This left the government short of the majority required to pass the vote.
3. Who will form the new government? The CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress have agreed to form a new coalition government. They are expected to choose a new Prime Minister in the coming days.
4. What are the implications of Prachanda's resignation? Prachanda's resignation has created political instability in Nepal and raised questions about the future of the country's coalition government model. It also signals a shift in the power dynamics between the CPN-UML and the Maoist Centre.
5. What is the significance of the CPN-UML's withdrawal of support? The CPN-UML's withdrawal of support is a major development in Nepalese politics. It suggests that the party is no longer willing to work with Prachanda and is determined to assert its dominance in the coalition.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is a significant day for Hindus, particularly in South India. It is a time to fast and pray to Lord Vishnu for forgiveness and a chance to go to heaven. This year, it falls on January 10, 2025, and devotees celebrate by lighting lamps, chanting mantras, and visiting temples for blessings. The holiday is rooted in the belief that observing it dedicatedly can bring good fortune and a peaceful afterlife.
In the aftermath of a tragic stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has taken swift action by suspending officials and ordering a judicial probe into the incident. Criticizing the lack of responsibility and failure to assess the situation, Naidu's political opponents are also utilizing the incident to attack his government. Amidst the controversy, the temple's reputation for managing large crowds has taken a hit and measures are being suggested to prevent such incidents in the future.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her distress and offered heartfelt condolences to the families of devotees who lost their lives in a stampede at Tirupati on Thursday. She also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and urged for better crowd management at religious places. The stampede occurred on Wednesday night as devotees were jostling for tickets at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam.
Greenland, the world's largest island, has been in the news for its melting glaciers and concerns about climate change. However, its strategic importance has also caught the attention of leaders like President Trump who recently expressed interest in purchasing the island. This is not a new idea, as previous presidents have also considered acquiring Greenland due to its location, potential energy resources, and role in the Arctic region. This article explores the history of this proposition and the current geopolitical considerations surrounding Greenland.
The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the Central Bureau of Investigation's appeal against the acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and four others in the murder case of former sect manager Ranjit Singh. The case, which has seen multiple twists and turns, has been referred to Justice Bela M. Trivedi's bench, which is already hearing a related petition filed by the victim's father. The CBI has argued that Ram Rahim orchestrated the murder after suspecting Singh of leaking an anonymous letter accusing him of sexual misconduct. The case has attracted widespread public attention due to Ram Rahim's involvement and frequent paroles from prison.
As Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule voices the public demand for Minister Dhananjay Munde's resignation, a petition filed in the Bombay High Court by Dhananjay Deshmukh, brother of the murdered sarpanch, is withdrawn. The petition had alleged that Munde was linked to a criminal syndicate involved in the murder of his sibling in 2024. Sule cites a precedent in which a former Maharashtra CM resigned over a scam, calling for similar sensitivity towards this case.
The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025, with voting to take place on February 5 and counting of votes on February 8. The recent release of the final electoral roll shows a 1.09 per cent increase in the number of voters since the last draft. CEC Rajiv Kumar addressed concerns over EVMs and the election procedure, asserting the transparency and credibility of the Indian election process. The AAP, BJP and Congress are gearing up for a three-way battle, with the AAP currently in the lead after sweeping 2020 Delhi elections.
With the Delhi Assembly elections just around the corner, AICC Delhi in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin believes that the Congress party will successfully appeal to voters by focusing on key issues affecting citizens. He emphasized that the party only makes promises that have been fulfilled in Congress-ruled states and will prioritize cleaning the Yamuna, improving women's safety, reducing corruption, and addressing unemployment, all of which have been neglected by the current AAP government.
The BJP has refuted Delhi CM Atishi's accusation that her official residence was taken away by the Centre, stating that the allotment was withdrawn for her failure to take possession and ongoing CBI/ED investigation. The AAP leader, however, remains undeterred and vows to work for the people of Delhi even if it means operating from the streets. Delhi's 2025 election poll schedule has also been announced, with voting to take place on February 5 and results on February 8.
During a news conference in Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Trump believes that the new name has a "beautiful ring" and is more appropriate, especially given the current state of relations between the US and Mexico. While this isn't the first time renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America has been proposed, Trump's announcement has caused controversy and garnered attention.