Opposition parties demand resignation of Chief Minister Giri

LUMBINI: Assembly members of the opposition parties in Lumbini Province have demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Leela Giri. They asked Giri to pave the way for the formation of a new government, stating that his government has fallen into a minority.

The members of the Provincial Assembly are of the opinion that Giri should step down on moral grounds and pave the way for the formation of a new government, as it is widely understood that the current government cannot last for long. Assembly member of Nepali Congress, Sudhakar Pandey, asked Chief Minister Giri to resign as he is now in a minority as per the constitution. He added that since parties in the government have withdrawn their support, the Chief Minister should take a floor test. “The constitution requires the Chief Minister to take a vote of confidence within 30 days after the withdrawal of support.”

Similarly, Santosh Pandey of Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP) asked the Chief Minister to abide by the constitution, stating that his government has fallen into a minority.

Assembly members of the ruling parties, however, have defended the government. Giridharilal Neupane of UML said that the government will not stay in power even for a minute beyond the time limit set by the law, indicating that the Chief Minister will not resign immediately. “The failure of the coalition at the center doesn’t mean that the same has to be done in the province. It is still possible to work in a united manner.”

With the formation of a new coalition at the center, CPN (Maoist Center), LSP, and Janmat Party, which had supported Giri as Chief Minister, have withdrawn their support.

Last week, the parliamentary party leader of Nepali Congress (NC), Dilli Choudhary, submitted a claim for the formation of government with the signature of 53 assembly members, as per Article 168 (2) of the constitution.

Legal experts, however, say Chaudhary’s claim is unconstitutional. According to Article 168 (3), UML, as the largest party in the Provincial Assembly, can make a claim for government formation. However, the Chief Minister appointed as per 168 (3) will have to pass a floor test within 30 days.

Giri, however, is unlikely to pass the floor test, as the majority of assembly members have rallied behind NC’s Chaudhary.