New Madhes government will be led by Janamant, JSP-N loses power after six years
KATHMANDU, JUNE 5
Despite Chief Minister Saroj Yadav's best efforts to save the government, he failed the floor test today, and the Janata Samajwadi Party-Nepal (JSP-N) is no longer in power for the first time in over six years.
On Wednesday, 103 lawmakers attended the Provincial Assembly. Yadav received confidence votes from his parties, the JSP-N, the Nepali Congress, the LSP-N, and the RPP. CPN-UML, Janamat Party, CPN-MC, and CPN (US) abstained.
Fifty lawmakers voted for Chief Minister Yadav and 53 voted against him during the floor test held on Wednesday evening.
Following a sudden shift in the coalition at the center and the split of the Janata Samjwadi Party Nepal (JSP-N) a few weeks ago, Madhes government led by Yadav fell to minority as the CPN-MC withdrew its support to the government. The new coalition hatched another plan to form a new government with the support of CPN-UML, CPN-MC, CPN-US, Janamat, and Loktantrik Samajwadi Party-Nepal (LSP-N). Chief Minister Yadav was in the minority after the CPN-UML and CPN-MC left the government and withdrew their support on May 12.
Despite the ongoing turbulence in the alliance, Chief Minister Yadav has received trust votes four times before. However, he lost his position as chief minister in the Provincial Assembly when he was asked for a vote of confidence for the fifth time. On Wednesday, he attempted to defer the vote of trust, citing health concerns, but the speaker refused and asked for the vote today. As a result, Yadav submitted a motion to the provincial assembly, seeking a vote of confidence for the fifth time. This time, however, the majority rejected it.
The JSP-N-led government in Madhes has collapsed after six and a half years in power. Now, under the leadership of Janamat Party, CPN-UML, CPN-MC, and CPN (US) Party are preparing to form a government.
Speaking to THT, Janamat Party General Secretary and Madhes provincial assembly lawmaker Chandan Singh stated, "As the JSP-N led government failed to garner the trust vote, we are all set to stake our claim as soon as the Provincial Governor calls for the formation of the new government. The new government will be led by Janamat, but who will serve as chief minister has yet to be determined."
Prior to this, three parties, including CPN-UML and CPN-MC, had already reached an agreement to form a new government led by the Janamat Party. However, the formation of a new government has been postponed due to Madhav Nepal's disenchantment with the ruling coalition.
To form a new government with a majority in the 107-member Madhes provincial assembly, 54 legislators must support it. To gain a majority, the Janamat-led government must receive support from either the CPN-US or the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party- Nepal.
"We have the support of 57 lawmakers, including speaker," Singh added. "We are waiting for the provincial governor's call."
In the 107-member Madhes Provincial Assembly, UML has 25 seats, Nepali Congress has 22, JSP-N has 19, Janamat has 13, CPN-MC has 9, LSP-N has 8, and CPN (US) has 7. Similarly, the Rastriya Prajatabtra Party (RPP), Nepal Sanghiya Samajwadi and Nagarik Unmukti Party each hold one seat and one independent lawmaker.
