Adding to the growing opposition against the controversial land ordinance, the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP), a partner in Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s coalition government, announced on Monday its refusal to support the ordinance regarding land management laws.

In a statement on Wednesday, LSP chair Mahantha Thakur expressed his party’s concerns over the ordinance, which he said would have negative consequences for vulnerable communities, particularly those involved in agriculture. Thakur argued that the ordinance would exclude poorer, rural populations such as the Dom, Musahar, Chamar, Dusad, Santhyal, Gangai, Rajbanshi, and Ranatharu communities from land access, which could lead to the exploitation of forest lands and encourage illegal occupation.

“This ordinance goes against the interests of the people and would exacerbate inequality. Our party cannot support this ordinance in its current form,” Thakur said.

The announcement from LSP is significant, as it adds further pressure on the ruling alliance, already facing challenges in securing the necessary majority in the National Assembly to endorse the ordinance. The current government is also under fire from other parties, including the CPN-Maoist Centre and the CPN-Unified Socialist Party, who voiced strong opposition to the land law changes.

This move follows a similar decision from the Upendra Yadav-led Janata Samajbadi Party-Nepal (JSP-Nepal), which has also opposed the ordinance on land management. Both parties' resistance signals growing divisions within the ruling coalition, which will now struggle to secure the support of all members for the passage of the ordinance.

LSP’s opposition to the land ordinance also comes at a time when the ruling parties are grappling with a delicate political balance in the National Assembly. According to parliamentary figures, the ruling coalition is struggling to gather enough support to push through the ordinance, which will require 30 votes in the 59-member upper house.

While the government appears to have sufficient support to push through other ordinances, this particular one faces strong resistance, which could affect the broader legislative agenda.

Despite this setback, leaders from ruling parties express confidence that ongoing negotiations will secure the support needed from other coalition members to ensure the passage of the ordinance. However, the recent developments indicate the growing tensions within the coalition as it struggles to maintain its majority. The current coalition, which commands a strong majority in the House of Representatives, lacks even a simple majority for the passage of bills in the National Assembly.