Bagmati Province Chief Minister Rajendra Pandey is preparing to resign after he drew flak for taking an oath of office and secrecy as a federal lawmaker without relinquishing the post of the chief minister.

Krishna Sharma Khanal, Minister for Internal Affairs and government spokesperson, said the chief minister will tender his resignation on Friday.

“He had assured the party’s leaders of resigning after taking the oath during an internal discussion. Although the prevailing laws are mum on whether the Chief Minister can take the oath as a House of Representatives member, he will quit tomorrow,” said Khanal.

Khanal added the process for a new government formation would move ahead following the resignation.

Pandey, who is also the vice-chairman of the CPN (Unified Socialist), became chief minister on October 29, 2021. He was elected to the lower house from Dhading-1 in the November 20 polls.