10 UML lawmakers join Madhav Nepal-led CPN (Unified Socialist)

KATHMANDU : A total of 10 CPN-UML provincial assembly members of Province 1 have chosen to be part of the newly-formed CPN (Unified Socialist).

According to Province 1 Assembly lawmaker Rajendra Rai, seven lawmakers have already verified their signatures in favor of the Unified Socialist party led by Madhav Kumar Nepal. Three other lawmakers are yet to verify their signatures.

Upendra Ghimire, Krishna Kumari Rai and Rajendra Rai are yet to verify their signatures. Province Assembly lawmakers Rajan Rai, Sabitra Regmi, Khinu Langwa Limbu, Ganesh Kamhang, Padam Kumari Gurung, Sunita Chaudhary and Sarita Thapa are among those lawmakers who have already verified their signatures.

Although efforts are still underway on the part of Chief Minister Bhim Acharya to bring more lawmakers close to Madhav Kumar Nepal, his government will fall in minority if all the 10 lawmakers, who have announced to be part of the Unified Socialist party, choose to side with the new party.

The Province 1 Assembly has a total of 93 lawmakers. While the UML has 52 lawmakers, the NC has a total of 21 lawmakers. Similarly, CPN (Maoist Center) has 15 lawmakers, Janata Samajbadi Party 3 and Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Samyaukta Loktantrik Manch each has 1 lawmaker in Province 1 Assembly. Of the total 93 members in Province 1 Assembly, the post of one lawmaker is currently lying vacant.