Kathmandu, May 4
The UCPN-Maoist decision to withdraw support to the KP Sharma Oli-led ruling coalition has shaken its very foundations, giving rise to speculations that it may topple sooner than later. Naturally, this turn of events has Bishnu Rimal, chief political adviser to PM Oli, shocked. A shocked Rimal described the Maoist decision as surprising.
Rimal told Onlinekhabar: As of yesterday evening, he (Maoist Chair Prachanda) was speaking in support of this government. He was defending the prime minister. This morning, he issued a press release pledging to lead a new government. We do not know what happened to Prachanda overnight.
Rimal said this government is facing conspiracies at a time when it is about to expedite post-quake reconstruction work. He said: To the best of my knowledge, there’s no misunderstanding on any special issue between the ruling CPN-UML and UCPN-Maoist.
He said: There’s no misunderstanding between the two parties. Prachanda has just said he has received this proposal (to lead government) from the Nepali Congress. And he sought PM Oli’s opinion on the proposal.
Asked what PM Oli had to say, Rimal said: He (PM Oli) has said time and again that no one gave this government in charity. He has said he will not stick to the position of power forever. Oli is an all-weather PM, he is ready to face any kind of situation.
Rimal also wondered as to how a no-confidence motion against the government will materialise. He said: Parties cannot table a no-confidence motion against this government on the basis of old regulations as they have already been scrapped. New regulations are not just ready yet. There will be procedural problems in tabling a no-confidence motion in the Parliament against this government.
“In this situation, what will happen if the UML does not step down even if the UCPN-Maoist quits the government?”
