Maoist Center to give confidence vote to Koshi CM Kedar Karki

The CPN-Maoist Center has decided to extend a vote of confidence to Kedar Karki, who recently assumed the role of Chief Minister in Koshi Province with the support of 39 CPN-UML MPs and 8 Nepali Congress (NC) MPs.

During a meeting of the Koshi Province Committee of the Maoist Center held on Monday afternoon, it was concluded that Chief Minister Karki should receive a vote of confidence from the party.

Chakrapani Khanal Baldev, the in-charge of the Maoist Center in Koshi Province, expressed their intent to support Karki, although they mentioned that no instructions had been received from the party headquarters as of yet. “We intend to offer a vote of confidence to the Chief Minister,” he stated, “with instructions expected from the headquarters tomorrow.”

Karki’s rise to the Chief Minister position was marked by a rebellion against the alliance’s decision, and he secured the position with the support of the UML. He is scheduled to seek the vote of confidence on Wednesday, with the Provincial Assembly Secretariat having called the Province Assembly meeting for that day.

In addition to the coalition party, the Maoist Center, the NC, the CPN-Unified Socialist Party, and the Janata Samajbadi Party are also likely to express their vote of confidence. This development comes in the wake of an agreement signed on Saturday by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba, and leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala to maintain the alliance established at the federal level. Notably, Karki has already included a UML lawmaker in his cabinet, which was formed on Sunday.

The Ratriya Prajatantra Party, however, has remained silent on the matter of the vote of confidence, adding an intriguing dimension to this evolving political situation.