Kathmandu, Dec 31 : Chief Minister of Province-1 Sherdhan Rai has suspended 15 lawmakers of the Prachanda-Madhav group for filing a no-confidence motion against him. They are barred from conducting any parliamentary party activities.

Among the suspended are Bhim Prasad Acharya, Indra Bahadur Angbo, Jeevan Ghimire, Vijay Kumar Bishwas, Savitra Kumari Regmi, Lilavallabh Adhikari, Rajendra Kumar Rai, Yashoda Adhikari, Lachhuman Tiwari, Mohan Kumar Khadka, Kul Prasad Samba, Dhirenda Sharma, Tank Angbuhang and Kusum Kumari Shrestha.

Nineteen lawmakers from the Prachanda-Madhav faction had filed a no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Rai. Chief Minister Rai had sought clarification from the lawmakers on the reasons for filing a no-confidence motion against him.

Rai informed that the action was taken after 15 out of 19 asked for clarification did not provide any reply. The letter informing the lawmakers of the action taken against them says that  they had been barred from participating in any activity of the party for the next three months as per Article 26 (c),(2) (4)of the Constitution of the NCP-Parliamentary Party 2076 BS.

Four lawmakers had provided written clarification. Chief Minister Rai has not taken any action against Tulasi Prasad Neupane, Jhalak Bhadur Magar, Usha Kala Rai and Ram Kumar Rai.

A meeting of the NCP parliamentary party attended by a majority of NCP members has removed Chief Minister Sherdhan Rai as the parliamentary party leader and selected Bhim Prasad Acharya in his place.