KATHMANDU: Chief Minister of Karnali Pradesh Jeevan Bahadur Shahi is taking a vote of confidence today.

Province Chief Tilak Pariyar had summoned a provincial assembly meeting for November 19 to this effect. The province secretariat had scheduled the date for holding a provincial assembly meeting today on the day.

Main opposition party CPN-UML is not taking part in the assembly meeting. UML Dal Rawal said he would not take part in the assembly meeting due to busy schedule of the ongoing 10th General Convention of the UML.

“We all the provincial lawmakers are busy due to the 10th General Convention of the party. Many of them are candidates, too,” said Rawal, adding, “We will not participate in the assembly meeting today.”

Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party Whip Him Bahadur Shahi said his party is discussing this issue with the UML. He stated that they would complete the process even without the presence of main opposition UML arguing that the law does not bar the Chief Minister from taking the vote of confidence in the absence of the main opposition party.

Shahi had been elected as the Chief Minister on November 2. CPN (Maoist Center) has 12 lawmakers, CPN (Unified Socialist) has 3 and NC has six provincial lawmakers in support of Shahi.