The KP Sharma Oli group of the CPN-UML has announced to withdraw its support to the Karnali Province government led by Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, parliamentary party leader of CPN (Maoist Centre).

The decision was taken by a UML parliamentary party meeting held in Birendranagar on Wednesday. Before the merger of the UML and Maoist Centre, the UML had backed Shahi to form the provincial government under article 168 (2) of the constitution. With support from UML’s 20 lawmakers and the Maoist Centre’s 13, Shahi was elected chief minister on February 15, 2018.

The UML parliamentary meeting, held under the chairmanship of its parliamentary party leader Yamlal Kandel—considered an ally of Prime Minister Oli—also decided to recall three ministers—Prakash Jwala, Dal Rawal, and Nanda Singh Budha—representing the UML in the provincial government. According to Gulabjung Shah, whip of the UML, 10 of the party’s 20 members in the provincial assembly attended Wednesday’s meeting.

The UML’s decision has left the Shahi government in crisis. Shahi has two options—either to resign or show a vote of confidence in the provincial assembly. Of the 40 members in the provincial assembly, 20 belong to the UML, 13 to the Maoist Centre, six to the Nepali Congress and one to the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party. Any attempt to topple the government requires the support of at least 21 members.

Provincial assembly members from the Nepal faction did not join Wednesday’s parliamentary party meeting. “This is just a meeting of a faction, which is why we are against the decision,” said Prakash Jwala, a leader from the Nepal faction and also the Minister for Internal Affairs and Planning.

Meanwhile, Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest, and Environment Nanda Singh Budha said that he will not resign from his post.

“This is a totally one-sided decision. The decision should have to be unanimous. But that is not the case,” Budha said.

Leaders of the Oli faction said that the decision will be implemented even if Nepal’s side disagreed with the decision.

“The decision has been made by the majority of assembly members. That is why there will be no problem in implementing the decision,” Shah said.

Govinda Prasad Kalauni, provincial chief of Karnali Province, is set to start a process regarding the case on Thursday.

“This matter will enter the provincial assembly if the chief minister expresses his desire to take the vote of confidence. The process of the vote of confidence will not be started if the chief minister prepares to resign,” said Chudamani Kalauni, the chief personal secretary of the province.

According to him, the chief minister should face the assembly within 20 days. Currently, the provincial assembly is not in session. “If the vote of confidence has to be taken, the provincial session should be convened immediately,” said secretary Kalauni.