KATHMANDU, July 29: Bagmati Province Chief Minister Bahadur Singh Lama has been removed from his position as the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party (PP) leader in the provincial assembly.
Lama lost the post after a no-confidence motion against him was passed by the party’s provincial parliamentary committee on Tuesday. The motion received support from 22 lawmakers, while 15 voted against it.
Those backing the no-confidence motion included Indra Bahadur Baniya, Shiva Raj Adhikari, Kanchan Chandra Bade, Dipendra Shrestha, Pukar Maharjan, Binu Rayamajhi Poudel, Yamuna Devi Shrestha, Urmila Nepal KC, Shanta Dhakal, Prabhat Tamang, Chhiring Dorje Lama, Meena Parajuli, Yangkila Sherpa, Meen Krishna Maharjan, Bimal Thakuri, Madukumar Shrestha, Surajchandra Lamichhane, Suresh Shrestha, Shriram Lamichhane, Suna Pariyar, Shyambahadur Khadka, and Krishna Bahadur Tamang.
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Meanwhile, those who opposed the motion were Bahadur Singh Lama Tamang, Kundanraj Kafle, Uttam Joshi, Laxmi Shrestha, Ramesh Kumar Mahat, Hariprabha Khadgi, Ramkumar Pahadi, Chhetra Bahadur Bamjan, Gita Gurung, Masina Khadka, Tirtha Lama, Ramkrishna Chitrakar, Maya Shrestha, Govinda Lamsal, and Samita Khadgi.
Although Lama has lost his position as NC PP leader in the Bagmati Province Assembly, he does not have to step down from the post of Chief Minister, as he was appointed under Article 168 (2) of the Constitution. As per this Article, it is not necessary for the Chief Minister to be the party’s PP leader.
However, the vote has raised moral questions about his continued stay in the post. The existing constitutional provisions do not require him to resign.
It is also not possible to introduce a vote of no confidence at this point, as the Constitution clearly stipulates that such a motion cannot be introduced before the Chief Minister completes two years in office. In this case, either the Chief Minister must resign voluntarily, or a coalition partner must withdraw its support, which would then require him to seek a vote of confidence within 30 days.
A vote to elect a new PP leader is expected to be held on Wednesday, according to NC leaders.
Speaking to journalists after the motion was passed, Lama said that the NC is a party that believes in democratic principles and added that time will reveal whether the process adhered to those values. He acknowledged that the PP leader post is now vacant and confirmed that a new leader will soon be elected through a secret ballot.
