KATHMANDU, May 5: Khagaraj Adhikari, the chief minister (CM) of Gandaki Province, is seeking a vote of confidence today.

Adhikari assumed the position of CM in the province after being appointed under Article 168(2), gaining support from multiple political parties. 

He formed a coalition with 22 lawmakers from the CPN-UML, eight from the CPN (Maoist Center), including the Speaker, and an independent lawmaker, Deepak Manange. According to constitutional requirements, Adhikari must obtain a vote of confidence within a month of his appointment.

Province Chief Dilliraj Bhatta supported Adhikari's appointment as CM after he claimed to have majority support.

However, the Nepali Congress (NC) objected to Adhikari's appointment, arguing that claiming majority support with the Speaker's backing violated the law.

Despite NC’s legal challenge through a writ petition in the Supreme Court, the court ultimately rejected the petition.

The Supreme Court clarified that having the support of 30 lawmakers out of the 59-member Provincial Assembly meets the requirement for claiming a majority.

Currently, the province has 27 lawmakers from the Nepali Congress and two from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party.