Kathmandu —
Madhesh Province Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav has resigned following a Supreme Court order requiring him to seek a vote of confidence within 24 hours. Seeing no possibility of securing the mandatory majority, Yadav submitted his resignation during Wednesday’s Provincial Assembly meeting.
The resignation has already been approved by Province Chief Surendra Labh Karna. The Province Chief has given until Friday for any Provincial Assembly member who can secure a majority with the support of two or more parties to stake a claim for forming the new government.
Yadav was appointed Chief Minister by then–Province Chief Sumitra Subedi Bhandari under Article 168(3) of the Constitution, as the leader of the largest party in the Provincial Assembly. His early-morning appointment and swearing-in at Paanas Cottage in Bardibas had triggered political controversy, prompting the federal government to recommend the removal of Province Chief Bhandari and appoint Surendra Labh Karna as her replacement.
During the vote of confidence process, lawmakers from the seven opposition parties were absent, leaving only UML members present in the assembly hall. Before resigning, Yadav argued that his appointment was “compulsory in nature,” claiming he was not required to undergo a vote of confidence.
However, Deputy Speaker Babita Raut Isar, who was presiding over the session, stated that since Yadav had already announced his resignation, there was no need to continue the confidence vote proceedings. She then adjourned the assembly meeting.
The political situation in Madhesh Province remains fluid as parties prepare to submit their claims for forming the next government within the given deadline.
