BUTWAL:  Lumbini Province Chief Minister Shankar Pokharel has resigned from his post on Wednesday afternoon.

According to Bhumishwor Dhakal, the Chief whip of CPN-UML in Lumbini province assembly,  CM Pokhrel submitted his resignation to the Province Chief Amik Sherchan this afternoon.

Pokhrel has resigned before the special session convened to discuss and decide on the no-confidence motion against him starts  in the province assembly on Wednesday afternoon. The special session of the province assembly is scheduled for 1 PM.

CM Pokharel, despite claiming majority, is in the minority in the province assembly.

The opposition coalition has proposed Kul Prasad KC (Sonam), of CPN-Maoist Center as the next Chief Minister.

In Lumbini, the UML has 38 lawmakers while the opposition alliance comprising Nepali Congress, CPN-Maoist Center, Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal and Rastriya Janamorcha has got 41.

According to sources, CM Pokharel is preparing to hold a press conference in a while.