Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli Wins Confidence Vote in Nepal’s House of Representatives

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli secured a vote of confidence in Nepal’s House of Representatives on Sunday. Out of 263 votes cast, Oli received 188, achieving a two-thirds majority in the 275-member House. Seventy-four members opposed him, and one abstained. Oli, also the chairman of CPN-UML, assumed office on July 14 with support from the Nepali Congress.

Addressing the House, Prime Minister Oli outlined a vision for revitalizing Nepal’s economy, strengthening governance, and fostering national unity. He emphasized the sacrifices of Nepal’s heroes and martyrs, urging collective action for national prosperity and resilience. Oli acknowledged recent natural disasters, extending condolences and committing to relief efforts. He highlighted the need to tackle economic challenges like stagnant growth and revenue shortfalls.

Prime Minister Oli pledged to accelerate projects of national importance, ensuring their timely completion through rigorous oversight and accountability. He stressed restoring public trust in government and fostering a business-friendly environment. Oli detailed plans to reduce Nepal’s dependence on imports by promoting domestic industries and effectively utilizing natural resources. His government aims to enhance local industries, attract investments, and create sustainable jobs.

In addition to economic reforms, Oli promised improvements in public service delivery, including streamlined bureaucratic processes and enhanced digital services for accessibility and efficiency. He outlined a robust foreign policy focused on economic diplomacy and regional cooperation. Oli called for national unity, expressing confidence in Nepal’s ability to overcome challenges and achieve inclusive growth.

Other political leaders responded to Oli’s confidence vote. Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba praised Oli’s proposal, emphasizing the public’s desire for stability and development. Deuba reaffirmed his party’s support for Oli, urging collaboration among all political parties. Nepal Communist Party (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal stressed the importance of democracy and robust institutions, calling for constitutional amendments and inclusive discussions for national progress. However, his party did not support the confidence vote.

Rajendra Prasad Lingden, chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, criticized major parties for political instability and stated his party would not support Oli’s confidence motion. Rabi Lamichhane, chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, called for investigations into past corruption cases and opposed the confidence vote, questioning the government’s commitment to impartial investigations. Outgoing Finance Minister and Deputy General Secretary of the Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Centre), Barsaman Pun, criticized the timing of constitutional amendment issues and expressed his party’s lack of confidence in Oli’s leadership.