By Anil Giri
Kathmandu, July 22 (IANS) Amid prevailing political uncertainty, Nepal's Parliament on Friday began discussing a no-trust motion against Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli after three Bills related to the annual budget were rejected by majority vote.
The rejection of the budget-related bills came as a major blow to the Oli government, which was relegated to minority after key alliance partner, CPN (Maoist Centre) withdrew support earlier this month.
At a joint meeting ahead of Friday's Parliament sitting, the Nepali Congress, Maoists and Madhesi Morcha decided to reject the Budget-related Bills.
Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel tabled three Budget-related Bills on Friday which were rejected by majority vote, announced Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar.
Following disapproval of the Budget, the Parliament began discussion on the no-trust motion, which has been jointly moved by the Nepali Congress and the Maoists -- the largest and third-largest parties in the House.
Initiating the discussion on the no-trust motion, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' spelled out why the Oli government needed to be replaced.
"We found PM Oli to be self-centred and egoistic. We all are committed to national unity and national interest," said Prachanda, addressing the House.
"He (Oli) tried to use the Maoists in the government, and so we decided to pull out support from the government," he added.
"We will opt for progressive nationalism. Given our geopolitical realities, we have to make fair and balanced relations with our neighbours. So we have to strengthen our internal national unity," he said.
The NC and the Maoists have joined hands to topple the Oli government accusing it of failing to implement the new Constitution, slow pace of post-earthquake reconstruction and other major national issues.
Though the Oli government has been relegated to minority, Prime Minister Oli has refused to resign. He said he will face the no-trust motion in parliament.
The House will discuss the no-trust motion for another three days.
(Anil Giri can be reached at girianil@gmail.com)
