The Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar-led Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Loktantrik (MJF-L), a key ally and the only Madhes-based party in the ruling alliance, has decided to stand by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli as he faces a vote of no-confidence in Parliament later this week.

MJF-L General Secretary Ram Janam Chaudhary, who is also Minister for Health in the incumbent Cabinet, told the Post that the party would vote against the no-confidence motion lodged by the Nepali Congress and the CPN (Maoist Centre) last week.

“Our party will vote against the no-confidence motion. We will stand alongside other partners in the ruling coalition,” said Chaudhary, adding that the party has no immediate plan to withdraw support to the government.

Sources said Gachhadar was initially planning to quit the government soon after the CPN (Maoist Centre) withdrew its support from the government. He had even met Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal twice.

But Gachhadar reportedly changed his mind after learning about Dahal and NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s plan to bring other Madhes-based parties on board. The NC and Maoist Centre leadership are said to be under pressure from other Madhes-based parties, including Samyukta Loktantrik Morcha, to keep Gachhadar out from the new coalition in making.

The MJF-L, which has 14 seats in Parliament, has a long standing rivalry with other Madhes-based parties both on the ground and the central politics.