SURKHET: Chief Minister of Karnali Province Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, today, won a vote of confidence from the Provincial Parliament.

Of the total 40 lawmakers in the province, Shahi received 32 votes from CPN-UML and CPN Maoist Centre. However, five votes of Nepali Congress and a single vote of Rastriya Prajatantra Party was cast against him.

The UML has 20 members, CPN MC has 13 and Nepali Congress has six lawmakers in the province.

The single lawmaker representing Rastriya Prajatantra Party had also supported the government while its formation but cast vote against the government this time.

The next session of the provincial parliament has been postponed until further notice.

Addressing the meeting, UML parliamentary party leader Yamlal Kandel said the government would move ahead forging consensus.

Also speaking in the meeting, NC parliamentary party leader Jeevan Bahadur Shahi said that the NC would play a constructive role as the opposition.

As per the constitutional provision, the Chief Minister should take a vote of confidence from the provincial parliament within 30 days of being elected to the office.