Congress Withdraws Support to Lumbini Province Government, New Equation Emerges

Butwal. The provincial power equation has reached a new turn after the Nepali Congress formally withdrew its support to the Lumbini Province government.

After five ministers from the Congress resigned collectively, the UML-led government has fallen into a minority, and now the future course of the government will depend on a vote of confidence and a new political equation.

Dilliram Chaudhary, leader of the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party, informed Chief Minister Chetnarayan Acharya by letter on Tuesday that the support given to the government has been withdrawn effective from Shrawan 13.

With the withdrawal of support, the Congress has exited the government. After five ministers from the Congress resigned collectively, the government led by Chief Minister Chetnarayan Acharya has clearly fallen into a minority. Although the total number of members in the Lumbini Provincial Assembly is 87, 4 seats are currently vacant, making the total number of members 83. A support of 42 members is required to form or sustain a government.

According to the current party-wise distribution, UML - 29, Nepali Congress - 27, and CPN (Maoist Center) - 13 (including the Speaker).

Similarly, RPP - 4, JSP - 3, LSP - 3, Janamat - 3, Rastriya Janamorcha - 1, and Independent - 1. After the Congress withdrew its support, the UML is left with only its own 29 members, so Chief Minister Acharya will now have to seek a vote of confidence from the Provincial Assembly as per the constitution. If the vote of confidence is not obtained, the government will automatically move towards a new constitutional process.

Government Formation Efforts Between UML and CPN (Maoist Center)

The end of the power-sharing alliance between the Nepali Congress and UML in the center has also directly impacted Lumbini Province. Currently, intense efforts are underway to form a new equation between the UML and CPN (Maoist Center).

Chief Minister Chetnarayan Acharya stated that positive discussions are ongoing between the UML and CPN (Maoist Center) regarding government formation. He told RatoPati that efforts are being made to reach an agreement on the distribution of ministries, common policies, and the framework for government operation. "We are in discussions regarding the distribution of ministries and other issues. We expect all matters to be finalized within a day or two," said Chief Minister Acharya.

On the other hand, CPN (Maoist Center) Parliamentary Party leader Jok Bahadur Mahara also confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the UML regarding government formation. He met with Chief Minister Acharya immediately after returning to Dang from Kathmandu. Sources indicate that the discussion included not only the distribution of ministries but also how to secure the support of at least one more member to ensure a majority for the government.

Although the combined strength of UML's 29 and CPN (Maoist Center)'s 13 members reaches 42, one of the 13 CPN (Maoist Center) members is the Speaker, who cannot vote in a vote of confidence. Therefore, the government will effectively have only 41 votes.

For this reason, the new power equation appears to require the support of at least one member from RPP, JSP, LSP, Janamat, or an independent member to achieve a majority. Aligning these numbers is currently the main priority of the ruling coalition.

As per the constitution, the Chief Minister must obtain a vote of confidence from the Provincial Assembly within 30 days of withdrawing support. If a vote of confidence is not obtained, the Province Chief will initiate the process of forming a new government in accordance with the constitutional provisions.