KATHMANDU — Political tension in Madhes Province has deepened after the CPN-UML’s controversial attempt to appoint Saroj Kumar Yadav as Chief Minister. What the party saw as a strategic move against the Nepali Congress has instead become a constitutional and moral crisis.
Hasty Oath and Legal Dispute
In an unexpected turn, UML leader Saroj Kumar Yadav took the oath of office inside a Bardibas hotel late at night, breaking long-standing government protocol. The move, carried out in haste, has left UML struggling to defend its actions.
Although sworn in, Yadav has yet to take charge. UML holds only 25 seats in the 107-member Provincial Assembly — one member is the Speaker, and another has been suspended in a corruption case — leaving the party far short of a majority.
Meanwhile, 74 lawmakers from seven parties have filed a petition at the Supreme Court, claiming Yadav’s appointment breached the constitution. The court is scheduled to hear the case on Wednesday.
Congress Calls It Political Betrayal
The Nepali Congress has sharply criticized UML, accusing the party of deception and misuse of power. “This is not leadership — this is political betrayal,” said Krishna Prasad Yadav, the Congress parliamentary leader in Madhes Province.
He said UML had first agreed to cooperate but turned its back when its influence came under threat. “They betrayed both the Congress and democratic principles for the sake of power,” he said.
The Congress has taken the dispute to court, arguing that UML’s actions undermined the office of the provincial chief and violated democratic norms.
Mounting Pressure and Ethical Crisis
Under growing pressure, UML leaders now appear ready to backtrack. Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav told reporters he would resign if parties agreed to form a Congress-led government for stability. He plans to visit Kathmandu to discuss the matter with party chair KP Sharma Oli.
UML Madhes in-charge Lilanath Shrestha defended the appointment as constitutional, saying it followed Article 168(3) of the constitution. He argued that Congress had failed to gather enough support earlier, forcing UML to act based on legal advice.
But the backlash has been swift. The provincial chief who administered the hotel oath, Sumitra Subedi Bhandari, has already been removed from office, while protests led by the Janamat Party have spread beyond Janakpur.
Analysts say UML’s effort to cling to power through procedural shortcuts has backfired, turning Madhes into a stage for political and ethical scrutiny. The incident has raised deeper questions about accountability, constitutional practice, and the growing pattern of betrayal in Nepal’s politics.
As the Supreme Court prepares its verdict, the fate of the Madhes provincial government — and UML’s political credibility — remains uncertain.
