KATHMANDU: Madhesh Province Chief Minister Krishna Prasad Yadav is scheduled to face a vote of confidence in the Provincial Assembly on Saturday as his government struggles to retain its majority following the withdrawal of support by two coalition partners.

Provincial Assembly Speaker Ram Ashish Yadav has convened an Assembly meeting for Saturday to facilitate the confidence vote. The Business Management Advisory Committee will also meet to finalise the agenda, including the proposal for the Chief Minister to seek a vote of confidence.

Chief Minister Yadav was constitutionally required to seek a fresh mandate after the CPN-UML and the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), both previously supporting his government, withdrew their backing. He had formally approached the Provincial Assembly Secretariat on Wednesday, requesting arrangements for the floor test.

Meanwhile, Yadav has intensified consultations with leaders of various political parties in an attempt to gather the necessary support. He said discussions were ongoing and that efforts to build consensus would continue until the voting process.

The political crisis deepened after four UML ministers resigned on October 11, withdrawing their party’s support from the Nepali Congress-led government. Subsequently, four ministers representing the Nepali Communist Party resigned on November 6, also pulling their party out of the ruling alliance.

With the departure of both parties, the provincial government has been reduced to a minority, leaving Yadav dependent on negotiations with other political forces to remain in office.

A minimum of 54 votes is required to secure a majority in the 107-member Provincial Assembly. The Nepali Congress, which has 22 lawmakers, does not have sufficient numbers to retain the government without support from other parties.

The Assembly’s composition includes 27 members from Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal, 23 from CPN-UML, 22 from Nepali Congress, 15 from Nepali Communist Party and 12 from Janamat Party. The Sanghiya Samajwadi Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party have one member each.

Yadav must therefore secure the backing of at least 32 additional lawmakers to pass the confidence motion. The Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal and Janamat Party, along with smaller parties, are expected to hold the key to the government’s survival.

The outcome of Saturday’s floor test will determine whether Yadav can maintain his position or Madhesh Province will face another round of political realignment.