DANG: Chief Minister of Lumbini Province Chet Narayan Acharya is preparing to take a vote of confidence from the Provincial Assembly on August 17.
Following the withdrawal of support for the provincial government by the Nepali Congress on July 28, Chief Minister Acharya is seeking the vote of confidence in accordance with the constitutional provision requiring a vote within 30 days.
Preparations are underway to expand the cabinet and finalize ministry allocations only after Chief Minister Acharya secures the vote of confidence.
According to an agreement reached between the CPN (UML)and the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), it has already been decided that the UML will lead the Lumbini provincial government and continue with Acharya as Chief Minister.
A final agreement is yet to be reached regarding the allocation of ministries to the NCP under the new ruling coalition.
Indrajit Tharu, leader of the NCP provincial parliamentary party, stated that his party plans to send ministers only after the Chief Minister secures the vote of confidence.
Lumbini Province has nine ministries, including the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers.
Currently, the government includes five ministers from the CPN (UML), including the Chief Minister, and two from the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal.
In the 83-member Provincial Assembly, 42 members are required for a majority.
The UML has 29 members, while the NCP has 13 members, including the Speaker.
Since the Speaker is not eligible to vote, the government appears to require support from additional parties to secure a majority.
