Janakpurdham – Nepali Congress parliamentary leader Kishnaprasad Yadav is poised to become the new Chief Minister of Madhesh Province. This follows the resignation of UML parliamentary leader Saroj Yadav, who stepped down just 22 days after assuming office on Kartik 24.
On Friday, Yadav submitted his claim for the Chief Minister post to Province Head Surendra Labh Karn, representing the seven-party alliance that has now staked a majority in the provincial assembly. Amid disagreements among the alliance parties over the Chief Minister candidate, consensus was reached on Yadav after the Democratic Socialist Party stepped aside, ensuring that the position will now go to the Congress party.
The province head had set a deadline for claim submissions by Friday evening. The seven-party coalition unanimously proposed Yadav for the role, with 76 members supporting his candidacy, making his appointment certain.
The coalition comprises Nepali Congress, JSP Nepal, Janmat Party, CPN-Maoist Centre, LSP, Unified Socialist, and the Citizens Unleashed Party. Party-wise representation in Madhesh is as follows: Congress 22, JSP Nepal 19, Janmat 13, Maoist Centre 9, LSP 7, Unified Socialist 7, and Citizens Unleashed 1.
The opposition UML now has 25 members in the province. RPP and Nepal Federal Socialist Party each have one member, while one member each from UML, JSP Nepal, and LSP is currently suspended. With Yadav’s appointment, Madhesh Province will witness its third Chief Minister within a month.
Saroj Yadav had assumed office after Jitendra Sonal resigned on Kartik 24, taking the oath and being appointed Chief Minister at Panas Hotel in Bardibas, Mahottari. However, he stepped down on Wednesday, paving the way for Kishnaprasad Yadav to take office with the backing of the seven-party alliance.
