KATHMANDU, July 3, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Embattled Nepali Prime Minister PushpaKamal Dahal lost his government's majority Wednesday after his key coalitionpartner withdrew support, triggering fresh political uncertainty in Kathmandu'svolatile parliament. The Maoists have played a key role in Nepal's politics for more than 20years, after waging a decade-long insurgency against government forces thatclaimed more than 16,000 lives. The civil war ended in a 2006 peace deal, which saw rebel leader Dahalbecome Nepal's first post-war prime minister. The three main parties -- the Maoists, CPN-UML, and the NC -- have sincemonopolised politics, forming varying brittle coalitions with one another. Nepal, a Himalayan nation of 30 million people, is sandwiched betweenpowerful neighbours India and China -- with both New Delhi and Beijingcampaigning for influence.
