KATHMANDU: The CPN-Maoist Center has decided to withhold a vote of confidence for Sudurpaschim Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah.

A member of the provincial assembly revealed that the Maoist parliamentary party issued a whip today, directing its members not to support Chief Minister Shah in the vote of confidence.

Chief Minister Shah had been gearing up to seek a vote of confidence in today’s provincial assembly meeting.

Following the withdrawal of support from the Maoist Center and CPN-Unified Socialist Party, Chief Minister Shah now finds himself in the minority.

Despite having the support of 18 Nepali Congress members, seven from the Nagarik Unmukti Party, one from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, and an independent, Chief Minister Shah remains hopeful of securing the vote.

However, internal disputes within the Nagarik Unmukti Party, resulting in its split into two factions, may lead to a division in votes, potentially leading to Chief Minister Shah’s ousting from the post.