KATHMANDU, Nov 10: The government has dismissed Madhesh Province Chief Sumitra Subedi Bhandari from her position amid growing controversy surrounding her decision to appoint CPN-UML parliamentary leader Saroj Kumar Yadav as Chief Minister on Monday.
The dismissal comes against a backdrop of escalating political tensions after Bhandari appointed Yadav as Chief Minister under Article 168(3) of the Constitution — a move that rival parties have denounced as a “blatant disregard” for constitutional procedure. The decision sparked protests from all opposition parties in the Madhesh Provincial Assembly.
Madhesh CM Yadav resigns amid failure to secure majority votes
Opposition parties have announced their intention to file a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the decision. According to Nepali Congress (NC) Madhesh Province President Krishna Prasad Yadav, a seven-party alliance — comprising the NC, CPN (Maoist Centre), CPN (Unified Socialist), Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP), Janamat Party, JSP and Nagarik Unmukti Party — is preparing to approach the court with the signatures of 74 provincial assembly members, a clear majority in the 107-member assembly.
The controversy deepened after reports emerged that the appointment of the new Chief Minister had taken place not in the official provincial headquarters but in a hotel room at a resort located in a forested area along the Mahottari–Sindhuli border, raising further questions about transparency and propriety. While some local media outlets reported that the swearing-in was conducted under pressure, the Office of the Province Chief has yet to issue a detailed clarification.
The seven-party alliance argues that under Article 168(2) of the Constitution, the Province Chief should have invited the coalition commanding a majority to form the government before invoking Article 168(3), which applies only when no majority exists. They allege that the Province Chief’s move “ignored democratic norms” and “violated the spirit of the Constitution.”
Former Chief Minister Jitendra Sonal resigned last week without seeking a vote of confidence, prompting coalition negotiations among opposition parties. However, before the coalition could formally present its claim, the Province Chief appointed UML’s Saroj Kumar Yadav as Chief Minister early Monday morning.
