Madhesh Province Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav stepped down on Tuesday after the Supreme Court ordered him to seek a vote of confidence within 24 hours, a requirement he acknowledged he could not meet.
Yadav, the CPN-UML parliamentary leader, had been appointed just three weeks ago by then Province Chief Sumitra Subedi Bhandari under Article 168(3) of the Constitution as leader of the largest party in the Provincial Assembly. His early-morning swearing-in at Bardibas-based Panas Cottage had already triggered political controversy, prompting the federal government to remove Bhandari and appoint Surendra Labh Karna as the new Province Chief.
Tuesday’s Provincial Assembly meeting saw no attendance from the seven opposition parties; only UML lawmakers and two ministers-Kanchan Bichha of RPP and Bimala Ansari of Nepal Sanghiya Samajbadi Party-were present.
Before announcing his resignation, Yadav argued he should not have been required to prove a majority, stating his appointment was made out of constitutional necessity. He said his 22 days in office had been devoted to public service. With most seats empty, he remarked, “I am here to secure votes from PA members, not these chairs,” before formally resigning.
Deputy Speaker Babita Raut Ishar, who chaired the session, confirmed that the vote of confidence would not proceed following his resignation.