Bagmati Chief Minister Resigns After Losing Majority

Indra Bahadur Baniya resigned as Chief Minister of Bagmati Province on Monday after failing to secure enough support to survive a confidence vote. He announced his resignation during an assembly address before the vote could proceed, concluding his 13-month tenure.

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The UML withdrew its support for Baniya’s government on July 22, leaving the Nepali Congress leader without a majority in the 104-member provincial assembly.

The Nepali Congress leader lost his majority after the UML withdrew its support on July 22. Baniya had sought backing from the Hamro Nepali Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), and Nepal Workers and Peasants Party but could not gather the required 53 lawmakers in the 104-member assembly.

The provincial assembly comprises 36 Nepali Congress lawmakers, 26 from the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), 25 from the UML, 12 from the RPP, three from the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, and two from the Hamro Nepali Party. Baniya's resignation opens the door for a new government formation.

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A government needs the support of at least 53 lawmakers to command a majority.

The UML and NCP are reportedly preparing to form a coalition. The UML is scheduled to hold a parliamentary party meeting Tuesday to choose its leader, with former health minister Kiran Thapa being a likely candidate. This move follows instructions from UML chair KP Sharma Oli to replace JN Thapaliya, against whom 18 UML lawmakers have registered a no-confidence motion.

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The UML plans to finalise its parliamentary party leader before formally staking a claim to form the next provincial government.