Bagmati Chief Minister to Resign Ahead of Confidence Vote

Bagmati Province Chief Minister Indra Bahadur Baniya is preparing to resign Monday, succumbing to political pressure after the CPN-UML party withdrew its support, leaving his government in the minority. The provincial assembly is scheduled to convene at 1 p.m. for Baniya to seek a vote of confidence, but sources indicate he intends to address the assembly and submit his resignation to the provincial head beforehand.

Baniya, representing the Nepali Congress, became the sixth chief minister of Bagmati Province last August. The province's 104-member assembly requires at least 53 lawmakers to form a government. His resignation is expected to pave the way for a new administration, with the CPN-UML and the Nepali Communist Party poised to form a coalition.

The CPN-UML is set to hold a parliamentary party meeting Tuesday morning to finalize its choice for parliamentary party leader, with former health minister Kiran Thapa reportedly being considered. This move follows instructions from CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli to replace the current leader, JN Thapaliya, against whom a no-confidence motion has also been registered by 18 UML lawmakers.

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He plans to address the assembly and submit his resignation to the provincial head before the confidence vote.