Nepal's second largest party withdraws support from government to join new coalition

In a significant political development in Nepal, the second-largest party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), has withdrawn from the government, leading to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal facing mounting pressure to resign. This move comes as the country's largest party, the Nepali Congress, and the CPN-UML signed an agreement to form a new coalition to govern until the next general elections in three years. Dahal, who has been leading a fragile coalition since December 2022, has been navigating through shifting alliances to maintain his majority. The withdrawal of support by the CPN-UML has left Prime Minister Dahal without a majority in parliament, prompting expectations for a vote of confidence within 30 days. Dahal, a former Maoist guerrilla leader known as Prachanda, has faced challenges in sustaining his position amidst internal differences and changing political dynamics. The recent alliance between CPN-UML's KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress' Sher Bahadur Deuba signifies a shift in the country's political landscape. Nepal's political history has been marked by the Maoists' significant role, stemming from a decade-long insurgency that ended in 2006 with Dahal becoming the first post-war prime minister. The country's political scene has been dominated by the Maoists, CPN-UML, and the Nepali Congress, forming fragile coalitions over the years. With Nepal's strategic location between India and China, external influences from both countries add complexity to its internal politics. As Nepal prepares for the next general elections in 2027, the current political turmoil underscores the challenges of governance and stability in the Himalayan nation. The ongoing power struggle and realignment of political forces highlight the need for cohesive leadership to address the country's socio-political issues and navigate its complex geopolitical position in the region.