KATHMANDU, July 18: A meeting of the ruling coalition on Sunday decided to block Parliament from holding discussions on the no-confidence motion registered against the prime minister until it first discusses the three remaining bills related to the budget, which were included in House business last Wednesday.
The meeting held at the prime minister's official residence at Baluwatar, took the decision and urged the speaker that parliamentary business should proceed in line with parliamentary regulations.
Stack of bills stalled in National Assembly
"The meeting has raised serious concern over the situation of growing confrontation in Parliament. The meeting has decided to urge the speaker 'to act as the speaker' and not as a political leader," said Chetan Adhikari, press coordinator for the PM.
"The finance bill and other bills related to the budget were scheduled to be endorsed at the parliamentary meeting Wednesday, but the meeting was rescheduled. The ruling coalition has decided not to let discussions on the no-confidence motion begin until the finance bills are discussed," he added.
The ruling coalition meeting also reiterated that they will face the no-confidence motion in an effective and properly managed fashion.
Following the decision of coalition partner CPN (Maoist Center) to withdraw its support, the government led by CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has been reduced to a minority. Forming a new coalition with the Nepali Congress, Maoist Center has registered a no-confidence motion in Parliament against the PM to pave the way for its own chairman to become prime minister again.
Speaker Onsari Gharti has scheduled discussions on the no-confidence motion for Thursday.
