A dramatic turn has taken place in the politics of Madhes Province. On Monday morning, Province Chief Sumitra Subedi Bhandari administered the oath of office to Saroj Kumar Yadav, the parliamentary party leader of the CPN (UML), at a hotel in Sindhuli.
Under Article 168 (3) of the Constitution of Nepal, Yadav has become the new Chief Minister as the leader of the largest party in the Provincial Assembly.
After taking the oath, Chief Minister Yadav said, “I have just taken the oath of office and secrecy. The situation in Janakpur was not favorable due to ongoing protests, so the swearing-in ceremony was held in Sindhuli.”
Just a few days ago, former Chief Minister Jitendra Sonal had resigned after failing to secure a vote of confidence. Sonal claimed that Province Chief Bhandari had left Janakpur for Kathmandu for medical treatment. However, he expressed strong objections, stating that the swearing-in was instead conducted at a hotel on the Sindhuli–Mahottari border.
Sonal wrote on social media: “The people of Madhes Province have been deceived. Under the pretext of medical treatment, Province Chief Sumitra Subedi Bhandari conducted a shameful act at a hotel on the Sindhuli–Mahottari border, undermining the dignity of the province. On one hand, she used her position as a woman, and on the other, health as an excuse, to betray the people.”
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