Aagya Khabar
Janakpurdham
Madhesh Province Chief Minister Jitendra Sonal has announced that he will seek a vote of confidence from the Provincial Assembly on November 7 (22 Kartik). He has decided to expand his cabinet only after securing the vote of confidence through consensus among the coalition partners.
Provincial Chief Sumitra Subedi Bhandari appointed Sonal as Chief Minister on October 16 (30 Asoj) under Article 168(2) of the Constitution. Sonal had staked his claim to the post on behalf of the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP). He was supported by 19 members from the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal, 13 from the Janamat Party, 9 from the CPN (Maoist Centre), and 8 from the CPN (Unified Socialist).
However, shortly after his appointment, the Sonal-led government faced political uncertainty. The government’s majority came under question after two Janamat Party lawmakers sided with the Janaswaraj Party and JSP lawmaker Saroj Kumar Singh was arrested on corruption charges.
The situation turned favorable for Sonal again after the Supreme Court last Friday issued an interim order to maintain the status quo regarding the Janamat Party split issue. As a result, the party’s whip now applies again to former Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh and Tribhuwan Sah, stabilizing Sonal’s government.
To further secure his vote of confidence, Chief Minister Sonal has also reached out to the Nagarik Unmukti Party and the Nepal Sanghiya Samajbadi Party — both of which have one member each in the Provincial Assembly. According to Sonal, both parties have assured him of their support during the confidence vote.
Cabinet Expansion Only After Confidence Vote
It has already been two weeks since Sonal assumed office, yet the Madhesh government has not expanded its cabinet. So far, only Madhesh Prasad Yadav, leader of the Janamat Party’s parliamentary group, and Kanis Patel from the CPN (Unified Socialist) have been sworn in as ministers. However, they have not yet been assigned ministerial portfolios.
According to Chief Minister Sonal, the coalition partners are in the final stage of negotiations over the division of ministries, and a decision has been made to assign responsibilities only after securing the vote of confidence.
He stated, “Discussions on the allocation of ministries among coalition partners are in the final phase. Immediately after obtaining the vote of confidence, the government will be expanded in accordance with the agreed understanding among the parties.”
According to LSP sources, out of the 10 parties represented in the Provincial Assembly, seven currently support Sonal’s government. The coalition partners have also outlined a preliminary framework for power sharing.
As per the tentative agreement, the LSP will have the Chief Minister and one ministry, JSP Nepal will have three ministries (including Physical Infrastructure), the Janamat Party will have three ministries (including Finance), the Maoist Centre will have two ministries, the CPN (Unified Socialist) will have one ministry, and the Nagarik Unmukti Party and Nepal Sanghiya Samajbadi Party will alternately share one ministry.
With strengthened cooperation among the coalition partners, Chief Minister Sonal is preparing to seek a vote of confidence next week and give full shape to his government.
