Opposition parties preparing for special session to oust Bagmati CM Shakya

KATHMANDU, Aug 28: Opposition parties are preparing to demand that the province chief summon the special session of the Bagmati Province Assembly at a time CPN-UML’s Ashta Laxmi Shakya has recently been sworn in as the chief minister of the province. 

Whip of Nepali Congress (NC) in the province, Tsering Dorje Lama said that CM Shakya attempted to avoid the House meeting by recommending the prorogation of the ongoing session. 

As per Article 183 (3) of the constitution, If, during the prorogation or recess of the session of the provincial assembly, one-fourth of the total number of its members make a petition that it is expedient to convene a session or meeting, the chief of the province shall specify the date and time for such session or meeting.

Following the recommendation by CM Shakya, Province Chief Yadav Chandra prorogued the ongoing session effective from Friday midnight as she lost a majority in the provincial assembly just a week after she took the helm of the chief ministership in the province. 

Amid the escalating dispute in the UML, the then Chief Minister resigned as the parliamentary party leader and chief minister to pave the way for Shakya to lead the province on August 18. Shakya was sworn in as the chief minister on the same day. She also inducted two ministers into her Cabinet. 

As per the constitutional provision, CM Shakya is required to take the confidence motion within 30 days of her appointment.  However, it seems quite difficult for her to win the House’s confidence as One of the two ministers seems to have been supporting the CPN (Unified Socialist) led by the former senior leader of the UML, Madhav Kumar Nepal. Another lawmaker, Rajendra Pandey has also joined the CPN (US). Pandey claimed that he has the support of 12 lawmakers, meaning the Shakya government can be toppled at any moment. 

Shakya, who remained in the rival faction led by leader Nepal for a long time after the then Prime Minister and UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli dissolved the House of Representatives (HoR) on December 20, last year, joined the Oli faction at a time when Nepal was preparing to register his new party. Consequently, she was appointed the chief minister of Bagmati Province.