Leaders and cadres of seven political parties, including the Nepali Congress and the CPN (Maoist Centre), staged a protest outside the Madhesh Bhawan on Monday against the appointment of chief minister in Madhesh Province.

Former Chief Minister Jitendra Sonal resigned on Sunday without seeking a vote of confidence, realising that he may not be able to garner a majority in his favour in the provincial assembly. Following his resignation, the Nepali Congress, Maoist Centre, CPN (Unified Socialist), Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, Janamat Party, Janata Samajbadi Party, and Nagarik Unmukti Party demanded the formation of a new government under Article 168(2) of the constitution. As per this provision, the province head should have called the parties to take initiatives to form a coalition government.

However, Province Head Sumitra Devi Bhandari on Monday morning appointed UML parliamentary party leader Saroj Kumar Yadav as chief minister under Article 168(3), leading the seven parties to take to the streets in protest. She initiated the process under Article 168(3) to form the government under the leadership of the parliamentary party leader of the largest party in the assembly.

As news spread that the newly appointed chief minister was heading to the office of the provincial government, lawmakers and cadres of the seven parties gathered outside the gate, chanting slogans and burning tyres. Security personnel were heavily deployed around the building as the number of protesters continued to grow.

Earlier in the morning, Bhandari had administered the oath of office to Yadav at a hotel in Bardibas, where she had appointed him chief minister. Yadav later expanded his Cabinet, including members from the UML, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), and Sangiya Samajbadi Party.

Following the appointment, the RPP withdrew its participation from the government. Party chair Rajendra Lingden directed its minister to leave the government, calling the midnight appointment made in a Bardibas hotel against the party’s policy.

The provincial head’s move taken without proper political consultation has deepened political tensions in Madhesh Province.