Province 1 CM Rai in minority after UML split

KATHMANDU, Aug 19: With CPN-UML’s formal split on Wednesday, the UML-led government in Province 1 has been put in the minority. 

UML’s Sher Dhan Rai-led majority government has fallen in minority as the UML’s erstwhile senior leader Madhav Nepal-faction has a strong command in the provincial assembly. 

Leader Nepal, on Wednesday, registered the CPN-UML (Samajbadi) a day after the government introduced an ordinance relating to party-splitting. 

Impact of UML split 

Ruling UML has a total of 51 lawmakers in the 93-strong provincial assembly, meaning UML had a comfortable majority until its split. However, with the split in the UML, at least 15 lawmakers, reportedly close to Madhav Nepal, are likely to withdraw their support to the Rai-led government and join the UML (Samajbadi). The UML requires the support of at least 11 other members of the provincial assembly to win the majority. 

Following the new political development, UML will have 36 members. Main opposition Nepali Congress has 21 members and  CPN (Maoist Center) 15. Similarly, UML (Samajbadi) and Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) will have 15 and three lawmakers respectively while Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and Federal Democratic Front have one member each. 

The opposition alliance is likely to form a new government as the NC, Maoist Center, UML (Samajbadi) and JSP collectively make 54.