Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Wins Trust Vote Amid Controversy

Gandaki Provincial Assembly Chief Minister Khaga Raj Adhikari secured a trust vote on Sunday, announced by Assembly Speaker Krishna Prasad Dhital. The announcement follows a Supreme Court ruling related to the political turmoil.

According to Speaker Dhital, the trust motion garnered 30 votes in favor and 27 against, with two lawmakers abstaining. The votes in favor included 22 UML lawmakers, seven from the CPN (Maoist Centre), and one independent lawmaker, Deepak Manange. All 22 Nepali Congress members opposed the motion, while two from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party remained neutral.

Despite the requirement for a minimum majority of 31 members in the 60-member assembly, the Speaker declared the motion passed with 30 votes, citing a Supreme Court decision. The court had previously dismissed a writ petition filed by former Chief Minister Surendraraj Pandey of the Nepali Congress, which challenged Adhikari’s appointment. The justices stated that the assembly was the appropriate forum to resolve such matters and affirmed that Adhikari had the majority required without counting the Speaker’s support.

The decision has sparked protests from Nepali Congress lawmakers, who accuse the Speaker of bending the rules by declaring the motion passed despite lacking the majority.

Chief Minister Adhikari, who took office on April 7, continues to face political challenges, with his leadership now affirmed by both the provincial assembly and the judiciary. However, the dissent among the lawmakers suggests ongoing political instability in the Gandaki province.