This combo photo shows Madhesh Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh and NC's parliamentary leader in Madhesh Krishna Prasad Yadav.
KATHMANDU: A new government is set to be formed in Madhesh Province under the Nepali Congress (NC) after Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh of the Janamat Party lost his majority.
Leaders say NC, CPN-UML, Janamat Party and Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP) Nepal are close to finalizing an agreement to form a coalition government under NC’s leadership. The three parties, however, are busy with negotiations regarding the distribution of ministerial portfolios.
The development came after the Janamat Party recently withdrew support for Chief Minister Singh, who has refused to step down despite announcing his resignation via a social media post during the Gen Z protest. Singh’s refusal to formally step down, even after his own party recalled him, has stalled the transition process.
NC parliamentary party leader in Madhesh Province Assembly, Krishna Prasad Yadav, is expected to head the new government. “The ruling coalition will remain intact, only the leadership will change,” Janamat Party’s provincial leader Mahesh Yadav said.
LSP leaders, however, are insisting that a Madhesh-based party should lead the government as the other two parties are leading the government in other provinces. “At least in Madhes, a regional party should get the leadership. It is our turn now,” LSP leader Jayanul Rain said.
LSP Nepal, which has eight members in the province assembly, including one suspended member, lacks the numbers to make a credible claim. Despite LSP’s stance, leaders of the other three parties are confident that the NC-led government will be formed in Madhesh.
Janamat sources say Chief Minister Singh could resign after the Dashain festival. “He is busy with temple visits during the festival,” one Janamat leader said.
A support of 54 members is needed to form a government in the 107-member Madhesh Province Assembly. These four parties have 67 members – NC has 22, UML has 24, including one suspended member, Janamat has 13 and LSP has eight, including one suspended member.
The three parties can form a government even without the support of the LSP Nepal.
Province Chief Sumitra Devi Bhandari, who is currently in Kathmandu, is expected to return to Janakpur soon. The four parties are preparing to formally submit their claim to form the new government once she returns to provincial headquarters in Janakpurdham.
