Gandaki CM Adhikari seeking vote of confidence today

KATHMANDU: Chief Minister (CM) of Gandaki Province, Khagaraj Adhikari, is set to undergo a vote of confidence today, as mandated by the Constitution.

Adhikari assumed the role of CM of the province following his appointment under Article 168(2), garnering support from two or more political parties.

He asserted a majority coalition with 22 lawmakers from CPN-UML, eight from CPN (Maoist Center), including the Speaker, and independent lawmaker Deepak Manange.

In accordance with constitutional provisions, Adhikari must secure a vote of confidence within a month of his appointment.

Province Chief Dilliraj Bhatta endorsed Adhikari’s appointment to the CM post upon his claim to majority support.

However, the Nepali Congress raised objections to Adhikari’s appointment, arguing that claiming majority support with the Speaker’s backing contradicted the law.

Despite the party’s legal challenge through a writ petition in the Supreme Court, the court ultimately dismissed the petition.

The apex court clarified that the backing of 30 lawmakers out of the 59-member Provincial Assembly satisfies the criterion for claiming a majority.

Currently, there are 27 lawmakers from the Nepali Congress and two from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party in the province.