Himal Press 
Jokh Bahadur Mahara (File Photo)
LUMBINI: Lumbini Chief Minister Jokh Bahadur Mahara has stepped down.
Mahara announced his resignation during a meeting of the Lumbini Province Assembly on Sunday. Addressing the province assembly, he thanked the Speaker, cabinet members, assembly members, and staff, and pledged to serve the province as a strong opposition.
The CPN (Maoist Center) leader’s government fell into minority after his coalition partner, CPN-UML, withdrew its support following the formation of a new coalition with the Nepali Congress (NC) at the center.
Addressing the assembly, Mahara stated that the revolution was incomplete and that a new generation might need to continue it.
Mahara was appointed Chief Minister on April 5 with the support of 48 assembly members from five parties, including UML. He was sworn in two days later and secured a vote of confidence on April 12.
The Maoist Center leader became Chief Minister after the government of NC’s Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary following the formation of the Maoist Center-UML alliance.
UML’s Lila Giri Set to Become Chief Minister
UML’s parliamentary party leader Lila Giri will now become Chief Minister of Lumbini Province.
After forming a new coalition government in the center, NC and UML have agreed to lead three province governments each. As per the agreement between the two parties, UML will form governments in Koshi, Lumbini, and Karnali provinces.
UML Chief Whip in the province assembly, Tulsi Prasad Chaudhary, told Himal Press that Giri will stake a claim to form the new government with the support of the Nepali Congress on Sunday itself.
Giri will need the support of 44 members to form a government in the 87-member Lumbini Province Assembly. NC and UML together have 56 members, which is a comfortable majority.
The UML leader was earlier appointed Chief Minister of the province after the November 2022 polls by forming a coalition with Maoist Center and other parties. However, he stepped down after the Maoist Center withdrew its support and formed a new coalition with the Nepali Congress.
