Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Lumbini Province Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya is set to seek a vote of confidence from the provincial assembly on August 17.
Acharya, who is the parliamentary party leader of CPN-UML in the provincial assembly, is facing the floor test after the Nepali Congress (NC) withdrew its support for the provincial government on July 28.
As per Article 188 of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015, if a political party in the coalition provincial government withdraws its support, the chief minister must table a resolution in the provincial assembly for a vote of confidence within 30 days.
After NC announced its departure from the coalition with the UML, the UML has formed a new alliance with the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) to form governments in all seven provinces. As per the agreement between the two parties, UML will lead the government in Lumbini.
The two parties have reached an understanding to finalize portfolio allocations and expand the cabinet only after the Chief Minister Acharya passes the floor test. However, sources say the NCP has staked claims for three ministries, including the finance portfolio.
Lumbini Province has nine ministries, including the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers. Currently, the cabinet consists of the Chief Minister alongside four ministers from UML and two from Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal.
Meanwhile, given the agreement reached at the central level with CPN (Masal), one ministry will also need to be allocated to the party.
Sources say initial discussions indicate that UML will get four ministries, including the Chief Minister, while NCP will get three, and JSP Nepal and CPN (Masal) will get one each.
A majority of 42 is needed to form a government in the 83-member provincial assembly. UML has 29 lawmakers, while NCP has 13, including the Speaker. Since the Speaker cannot vote, the coalition will need the support of additional parties to secure a majority.
