At a time when Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is preparing to face the Parliament in view of the withdrawal of support by some coalition partners, the CPN-UML on Sunday demanded that he resign immediately.

A parliamentary party meeting held at the Federal Parliament building of the UML urged Prime Minister Dahal to resign promptly and facilitate the formation of a new government.

Prime Minister Dahal is preparing to seek a vote of confidence from parliament on July 12. The UML, aiming to assume leadership of the new government as per an agreement reached with the Nepali Congress, has concluded that the prime minister should resign, as the government has been reduced to a minority.

“The government finds itself in a clear minority after various parties, including the UML, withdrew their support,” said UML’s Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula. “However, Dahal has not stepped down, which is seen as unfair. Therefore, the meeting has requested that the prime minister resign immediately and pave the way for forming a national consensus government.”

Chief Whip Bartaula said the meeting objected to decisions with long-term impacts made by the minority government. He said the current government is not in a position to make such decisions.

“It is against the national interest and the constitution for a minority government to make decisions with long-term consequences. Therefore, the meeting cautioned the government against taking any such steps,” said Bartaula. “Our primary demand is the resignation of the prime minister.”