Chief Minister of Sudurpashchim Province, Dirgha Bahadur Sodari, is taking the vote of confidence today (Friday).
Sodari is going to take the vote of confidence in the meeting of the Province Assembly scheduled for 4 pm.
Due to the power coalition between Nepali Congress and CPN (UML), Sodari, the leader of the CPN (Unified Socialist) Far-West Province Parliamentary Party, will be ousted from power.
Sodari has been running a minority government since UML withdrew its support on July 4. According to the constitutional provision, the Chief Minister Sodari has to prove a majority in the parliament within one month after the withdrawal of support by a party. Otherwise, the provincial government will collapse.
There is also a parliamentary practice of paving the way for the formation of another government by resigning if there is no clear basis for securing a majority.
However, Sodari extended his power by keeping the provincial government on a "holiday budget" even though there was no clear basis for securing a majority due to the coalition between Nepali Congress and UML.
Sodari is stepping down after addressing the province assembly meeting today. He was appointed as the Chief Minister on April 18 with the support of 28 lawmakers including 11 from UML, 10 from Maoist Center, 2 from Nagarik Unmukti Party, 4 from Samajwadi, and 1 independent lawmaker.
Sodari-led government fell into minority after UML pulled out of the government on July 4 with the formation of a power alliance with the NC at the center.
In the 53-member Sudurpashchim Province Assembly, the support of 27 parliamentarians is required to secure a vote of confidence. There is an MP of Rastriya Prajatantra Party in Sudurpaschim Province Assembly.
