KATHMANDU: Following the formal split of the main opposition CPN-UML and the formation of the CPN (Unified Socialist), the people’s representatives at the provincial and local levels are in the process of verifying themselves to join the new party led by UML’s the then senior leader and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Members of provincial assemblies in six provinces have been visiting the designated election offices to authenticate themselves. However, the scenario in Gandaki Province is quite different. The provincial assembly seems unaffected by the UML split.
Ten province assembly members in Province 1 and 13 lawmakers in Province 2 and Bagmati each have already renounced the UML and joined the new party. Similarly, one lawmaker of Lumbini, three of Karnali and 13 of Sudur Paschim provinces also joined the CPN (US). However, no provincial assembly member in Gandaki has so far opted to join the new party headed by leader Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Indra Lal Sapkota, a Gandaki lawmaker, opted to remain with the UML though he was reportedly close to the Nepal faction as the erstwhile ruling party had been witnessing a heightened dispute. The CPN (US) seems to have no representation in the Gandaki Province Assembly as most lawmakers are said to be close to the UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli.
BIRATNAGAR: The Chief Minister (CM) of Province 1, Bhim Acharya has lost the majority in the provincial assembly as 11 lawmakers of the CPN-UML joined the newly formed CPM (Unified Socialist).
Acharya, who was said to be an ally of the then senior leader of UML, Madhav Kumar Nepal, was appointed the CM of the province after Sher Dhan Rai, the outgoing CM, resigned from his post.
However, due to the split in the UML, Acharya is very much likely to lose his majority in the provincial assembly. Of 92 members in the provincial assembly, 51 were members of CPN-UML before the party split. But, as UML lawmakers are preparing to officially join the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led CPN (Unified Socialist), the size of the UML in the assembly is likely to decline.
The Election Commission (EC) has extended the deadline for those people’s representatives of local units and provinces of UML and Janata Samajbadi Party to join the new parties by 5 PM, September 7, next month.
Ten lawmakers of UML in Province 1 have so far joined the CPN (US), meaning CM Acharya lost the majority in the assembly
Meanwhile, the chief minister is also preparing to take a vote of confidence later as the UML split. Acharya needs to garner the support of at least 47 lawmakers to win a trust vote.
Bhim Acharya took the oath of office and secrecy today.
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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.
