Province 2’s CM Raut prepares to take trust vote, UML and Democratic Socialist Party warn house obstruction

KATHMANDU, October 6: Chief Minister of Province 2 Lal Babu Raut has begun preparations to take a vote of confidence in the Provincial Assembly.

A meeting of the Provincial Assembly has been summoned for the trust vote as per Article 188(2) of the constitution but the opposition parties, CPN (UML) and Democratic Socialist Party have warned of house obstruction.

The ruling Janta Samajbadi Party was obliged to take a trust vote from the Provincial Assembly within 30 days of the split of the party.

The sprinter faction of JSP-led by Mahantha Thakur formed the Democratic Socialist Party and withdrew support from the government. Following these developments, JSP lost its majority in the Province and is now scheduled for a vote of confidence.

The ruling party has expressed the confidence that it will easily garner majority votes in support of the ruling alliance.

Of 104 current members in the Province Assembly, Raut must garner at least 53 votes in his favor to save the government.

There are currently 38 lawmakers in the Province of JSP, 19 of Nepali Congress, 8 of CPN (Maoist Center) and 13 of CPN (Unified Maoist) along with eight of UML and 17 of Democratic Socialist Party.