Madhes Province Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav resigned from his post today following the Supreme Court’s December 1 verdict requiring him to secure a vote of confidence within 24 hours. 

Seeing no possibility of obtaining the vote of confidence, he announced his resignation in today’s meeting of the Province Assembly.

Yadav, the CPN-UML Parliamentary Party leader in the Madhes PA had been appointed to the post three weeks ago by the then Chief of the Province Sumitra Subedi Bhandari as the leader of the largest political party in the Province Assembly. 

The appointment had been made in accordance with Article 168 (3) of the Constitution.

The early morning swearing-in held at the Bardibas-based Panas Cottage, further sparked the political controversy over his appointment. 

Amidst this, the federal government relieved Bhandari of her post and recommended Surendra Labh Karna as the new Province Chief.

In today’s PA meeting, no members from the seven opposition parties were present. 

Only UML members attended the meeting. 

Ministers Kanchan Bichha (from RPP) and Bimala Ansari (Nepal Sanghiya Samajbadi Party) were also present.

Before announcing his resignation, Yadav claimed that he was not required to secure a vote of confidence, as his appointment had been a compulsion. 

He said his 22 days in office had been focused on people-centered service delivery. “I am here to secure votes from PA members, not these chairs. But they are not present. Therefore, I hereby announce my resignation,” he said, referring to the mass absence of PA members and the vacant chairs.

In response, Deputy Speaker Babita Raut Ishar who chaired the session said there was no need to proceed with the vote of confidence since the Chief Minister had already announced his resignation.