KATHMANDU, Jan. 11 -- Having opposition parties is a crucial aspect of a functioning democracy, as it provides a mechanism for checks and balances on the ruling parties and also allows for alternative viewpoints and policies to be presented and debated. But with all major political parties including the Nepali Congress (NC) giving a vote of confidence to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, there has been a debate if there are opposition parties in parliament.

There are 12 political parties including seven nationally recognized parties in the House of Representatives (HoR). Of them, only two fringe parties -- People's Front Nepal and Nepal Workers and Peasants Party-with one lawmaker each chose to vote against the trust motion put forth by...