Key Takeaways:

• Baniya resigned Aug 17 before confidence vote in Bagmati Assembly
• Congress-HNP bloc had 38 seats, 15 short of majority in 104-member house
• UML-NCP alliance reached understanding to form new government
• RPP (12) and NWPP (3) remained undecided, leaving Congress isolated

HETAUDA, AUGUST 17 Bagmati Chief Minister Indra Bahadur Baniya resigned on Monday without facing the confidence vote scheduled in the provincial assembly, paving the way for a change of government. Baniya, who was forced into the minority after UML ministers resigned and withdrew their party's support, had sought a session of the provincial assembly to seek a vote of confidence today. He, however, announced, his resignation before the vote could take place. Addressing the provincial assembly, Baniya said he had decided to step down to 'clear the way' and thanked those who had supported his government. Under the constitutional provision, a chief minister who loses the support of a coalition partner must secure a confidence vote in the provincial assembly within 30 days. The resignation comes as UML and the NCP have reached a political understanding to form a new provincial government, making it increasingly difficult for the Congress-led government to retain power. The 104-member Bagmati Provincial Assembly requires 53 votes for a majority. Congress has 36 lawmakers, while its coalition partner, the Hamro Nepali Party, has two, giving the government camp 38 seats. Congress therefore needs 15 additional votes to reach the majority mark and has been holding discussions with parties other than UML and NCP. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), with 12 seats, and Nepal Workers Peasants Party, with three, could together provide the required numbers. However, neither party has indicated a willingness to support the Congress-led government. RPP Chair Rajendra Lingden had earlier decided to remain neutral, while the Nepal Workers Peasants Party has so far remained outside the provincial government and is not expected to support it. UML had issued a whip to its lawmakers to vote against the confidence motion, while the NCP were also holding a meeting on its position. Baniya is the sixth chief minister of Bagmati Province and was appointed to the post on Aug 5, 2025. If UML and NCP fail to form a government, Baniya could potentially be reappointed as chief minister as the leader of the largest party under Article 168(3) of the Constitution. He would, however, have to secure a confidence vote within 30 days.