Kathmandu, Nepal, July 20, 2021: CPN UML has asked clarifications from the 22 lawmakers, who had voted in favor of Nepali Congress (NC) President and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba during the vote of confidence motion in parliament on Sunday.
A Central Committee meeting of the party held on Monday has asked the 22 lawmakers to submit clarifications within 24 hours for defying the party whip to vote against Deuba’s vote of confidence motion in the parliament. A Standing Committee meeting of the party held earlier had issued a whip to all UML lawmakers to vote against Deuba.
The party has decided to seek explanation from 22 lawmakers within 24 hours for going against the party directive, UML Spokesperson Pradeep Kumar Gyawali told media persons after the meeting. The party has expressed serious concern over the decision of the party's lawmakers to flout the party's official decision, Gyawali said.
The Supreme Court had ruled that party whip would not be applicable if any lawmaker stake claim the post of Prime Minister under Article 76 (5) of the constitution. However, the UML has criticized the Supreme Court ruling terming it as against the spirit of the multi-party system.
CPN UML lawmakers namely Madhav Kumar Nepal, Birod Khatiwada, Mukunda Neupane, Ram Kumari Jhankri, Jiwan Ram Shrestha, Kalyani Khadka, Bhawani Khapung, Nira Devi Jairu, Sarala Yadav, Pushpa Kumari Karna, Kalila Khatun, Krishna Lal Maharjan, Metmani Chaudhary, Laxmi Chaudhary, Krishna Kumar Shrestha, Prem Bahadur Ale, Hira KC, Gopal Bam, Parbati Bishunkhe, Bina Budhathoki and Samina Husain had voted in favor of Deuba’s vote of confidence motion. Shrestha, Ale, KC, Bam, Bishunkhe, Budhathoki, and Husain were earlier aliened in the Oli’s camp.
