Bagmati CM Pandey taking trust vote today

KATHMANDU, November 8: Chief Minister (CM) of Bagmati Province Rajendra Prasad Pandey is scheduled to take a vote of confidence from the provincial assembly on Monday. Pandey was appointed as the CM of Bagmati Province on October 28 representing the ruling alliance headed by the Nepali Congress as per Article 168 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal following a resignation of his predecessor Asta Laxmi Shakya.  Pandey, who is also a parliamentary party leader of CPN (Unified Socialist), had registered a proposal for a floor test earlier on October 31 at the provincial assembly secretariat. A provincial assembly meeting of the province due to be held on Monday is scheduled to discuss in this regard. CM Pandey has support of the ruling Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Center) and Janata Samjabadi Party. Pandey is likely to secure a vote of confidence from the provincial assembly being backed up by three parties in the province. CM Pandey has the support of 59 lawmakers of the province including 23 lawmakers of Maoist Center, 22 of NC, 13 of Unified Socialist and one of JSP in the provincial assembly. Pandey must garner the support of atleast 55 lawmakers to win the vote of confidence. Likewise, it has been learnt that CM Pandey will extend his cabinet following the floor test.