Sher Bahadur Deuba to be Nepal’s new PM

Supreme Court of Nepal has passed an order to appoint Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba as prime minister Nepal within two days.

Highlights

Five-member constitutional bench of supreme court’ order also reinstated the dissolved House of Representatives for second time in five months.

Background

President Bidya Devi Bhandari had dissolved 275-member lower house on May 22, 2021 for second time in five months on the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli. She also announced snap elections on November 12 and November 19. Election Commission had also announced recently the schedule for mid-term elections despite uncertainty over polls.

How President gets power to dissolve the Parliament?

President has the power to dissolve House of Representatives or Parliament under Article 76 (7) of Constitution of Nepal.

About Article 76 (7)

Under Article 76 (7), Prime Minister can dissolve house of representatives and announce new date to conduct election within six months in case Prime Minister appointed under Clause (5) fails to own vote of confidence or when no member can be appointed as Prime Minister.

Why Parliament was dissolved?

Bidhya Devi Bhandari dissolved parliament after considering claims of support by both sides. KP Sharma Oli had claimed to have support of 153 lawmakers including members of Janata Samajbadi Party. While, Nepali Congress President Deuba had the support of 149 parliamentarians. Both the claims did not comply because, Nepal’s house of representatives is comprising of 275 members.

Political crisis in Nepal

Political crisis in Nepal begun in May 2018 when KP Sharma Oli-led CPN-UML & National Communist Party joined hands and decided to serve as joint chairmen of ruling party. CPN-UML was largest party in House of Representatives however, increasing disputes within the ruling party resulted in split again.  After the split, in December 2020, Prachanda-led party expelled Prime Minister Oli as co-Chair and Prachanda was made first Chairman. In 2020, the house of representatives was dissolved which was reinstated again after the order of supreme court in 2021. On May 10, 2021 Prime Minister Oli has lost vote of confidence and house was dissolved again.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2021