Province 1, Bagmati Province govts fall in minority after a section of UML lawmakers decide to join Unified Socialist party

KATHMANDU, August 31: The provincial governments-led by CPN-UML in Province 1 and Bagmati Province have fallen in minority after a section of lawmakers have chosen to be part of the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led CPN (Unified Socialist) party.

A total of 12 lawmakers in the Bagmati Province Assembly have chosen to be part of the newly-formed Unified Socialist party. They have authenticated their signatures in favor of the new party at the Province Election Commission (EC) Office on Tuesday.

Interestingly, Krishna Khanal, who was appointed as Social Development Minister by Chief Minister Asta Laxmi Shakya has decided to be part of the Nepal-led Unified Socialist party.

Those deciding to be part of the new party in the Bagmati Province include Rajendra Pandey, Munu Sigdel, Basundhara Humagain, Laxman Lamsal, Rajendra Man Shrestha, Parbati Silwal, Indra Maya Gurung, Madhav Poudel, Basanta Manandhar, Rama Ale Magar and Kusum Kumar Karki.

Of the total 110 members in the Province Assembly, the UML alone had 56 UML lawmakers. With 12 lawmakers choosing to join the Unified Socialist party, the newly-formed province government led by Shakya has fallen in minority in the Bagmati Province. She will now have to secure a vote of confidence within 30 days.

Similarly, 10 of the total 51 UML lawmakers have decided to join the newly-formed Unified Socialist party in Province 1. They will inform the decision to join the newly-formed party led by Nepal to the Election Commission (EC) office on Wednesday.

Leaders close to senior leader Nepal said more lawmakers are expected to be part of the new party in Province 1. The Bhim Acharya-led Provincial Government in Province 1 falls in minority even if only 10 UML lawmakers decide to be part of the new party. Sources said Acharya is working hard to convince lawmakers choosing to be part of the Nepal-led party to stay with the CPN-UML.

The Province 1 Assembly has a total of 93 lawmakers. While the UML has 52 lawmakers, the NC has a total 21 lawmakers. Similarly, CPN (Maoist Center) has 15 lawmakers, Janata Samajbadi Party 3 and Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Samyaukta Loktantrik Manch each has 1 lawmaker in the Province 1 Assembly. Of the total 93 members in the Province 1 Assembly, one post of lawmaker is currently lying vacant.