The CPN-UML has decided to support Sudurpaschim Chief Minister Dirgha Bahadur Sodari in the floor test scheduled for Thursday.

According to Santosh Kumari Sharma Thapa, deputy provincial assembly leader, a provincial party meeting held on Wednesday decided to vote in favour of the chief minister. However, the meeting decided not to join the government.

According to Thapa, the meeting also issued a whip to its lawmakers to vote in favour of the confidence motion.

The chief minister is scheduled to undergo a floor test at the provincial assembly meeting on Thursday, as per the constitutional provision requiring the chief minister to win a trust vote within 30 days of appointment. Sodari of the CPN (Unified Socialist) was appointed as the chief minister on April 18.

The chief minister had planned to undergo the floor test on May 3 and 4. His plan failed after the UML sought time before voting for the chief minister. The UML had leaders accused the chief minister of scheduling the assembly meeting in haste, without consulting them.