New govt cannot be formed: PM Oli

Published On: July 15, 2016 01:27 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli (Republica file photo)

KATHMANDU, July 15: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has claimed that a new government cannot be formed during the transitional period.

Oli said so a day after a no-confidence motion was filed against him in the Legislature-Parliament, hinting that the country is likely to plunge into a constitutional crisis.

According to Oli, no new government can be formed during this transitional period as per the provisions laid down in the new constitution.

Speaking at a meeting of UML’s Parliamentary Party in New Baneshwar on Thursday, PM Oli, who is also the chairman of the party, said the provisions in the new constitution allow to garner a confidence motion as well as file a no-confidence motion against the government but the constitution does not say anything regarding the formation of a new government.

Congratulating opposition lawmakers for bringing a no-confidence motion against him, Oli clarified that he would not resign from his post.

“There are still 7-8 days to go before a voting is held on the no-confidence motion. Those who have brought the motion should press hard for it,” a UML lawmaker quoted PM Oli as saying, “There is no provision in the constitution about the formation of a new government.”

Article 298 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal states that a new prime minister will be elected on the basis of consensus within seven days of the promulgation of the constitution with the parliamentary session in operation and in case the parliamentary session is already prorogued, within seven days of the commencement of the House session convened as per Article 296 (6).

If a consensus government cannot be formed as per Sub Article 2, only then can a majority government be formed as per Article 298 (3) of the constitution.

Oli government was formed as per this provision.

Even though the prime minister will be relieved from his post when a no-confidence motion is endorsed but there is no clear provision regarding the formation of a new government in the transitional provision of the constitution at a time when the prime minster is relieved of his responsibilities.

Referring to this provision, Oli has said that his government will remain intact until Magh 7, 2074 BS.