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Bagmati Province Chief Minister Shalikram Jamarkattel is seeking a vote of confidence on Wednesday. Province Assembly Secretariat Chief Secretary Krishna Hari Khadka said that Jamarkattel is scheduled to seek a vote of confidence at 3 pm today. With the change in the political equation in the central government a few weeks ago, he fell into minority after the Rastriya Prajatantra Party withdrew support extended to the province government. When the Bagmati Council of Ministers was formed on January 10, Shalikram Jamarkattel was appointed as the Chief Minister and Jagannath Thapaliya and Uddhav Thapa were appointed as the Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning and Minister for water supply, energy and irrigation respectively from the joint alliance of the CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Center) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party has already left the government. The CPN-UML, however, is still participating in the government without giving any reaction. The Bagmati Province Assembly has 110 lawmakers of seven political parties—Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Center), CPN (Unified Socialist), Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party and Hamro Nepali Party. Chief Minister Jamarkattel needs 56 votes to give continuity to the current government.

The CPN (Unified Socialist) formed a three-member task force under the headship of party Chairman Madhav Nepal to carry out necessary homework on the issue of joining the government. A Secretariat meeting of the party held at the party office in Aloknagar on Tuesday formed the task force, party spokesperson Jagannath Khatiwada said. He said that party Chairman Madhav Nepal, Vice-Chairman Pramesh Hamal and General Secretary Ghamshyam Bhusal are in the task force. The meeting also discussed contemporary political issues, leaders said.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has urged one and all to be active from their respective places to end inhuman practice of caste and race- based discrimination and untouchability. In a message on the occasion of 58th International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination today, Chair Oli said that it was necessary to launch an awareness campaign from all walks of life of the society to end racial discrimination. "Though the laws have restricted inhuman practices like untouchability, it has not been completely eradicated. It is necessary to launch awareness from all walks of life of the society", reads the message. Saying the UML has been fighting against discrimination based on caste, gender, religion and culture, he opined the UML-led government had played a leading role in policy-level reform for economic empowerment and social dignity of victims of social discrimination. The message read, "All types of caste-based discrimination, injustice, superstition, crime, deprivation and violence should be ended to fulfill national aspiration 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali'." Similarly, CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal said it was necessary to stand against untouchability and caste-based discrimination for building a civilized society. In a message on the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Chair Nepal said that a society of co-existent would be built through social justice, equality and freedom if we all united against untouchability and racial discrimination. Saying his party has been carrying out political activities since long to maintain equality making the Nepali society free from such violence and discrimination, he pointed out the need for an awareness campaign against caste-based discrimination. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has been observed on March 21 every year since 1966.    

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has urged all Nepali to stand against discrimination and caste-based violence. In a message of best wishes on the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Tuesday, he called for building a civilized and well-cultured society. "On the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, I would like to extend my best wishes to the entire Nepali people to stand against untouchability and caste-based violence to build a civilized and well-cultured society", read the message.