Makawanpur, Aug. 17 -- Bagmati Province Chief Minister Indra Bahadur Baniya is preparing to resign on Monday after the CPN-UML withdrew its support for his government, leaving it in the minority.

The provincial assembly has been called for 1pm today for Baniya to seek a vote of confidence. But according to sources, he plans to address the assembly and submit his resignation to the provincial head before the confidence vote.

Baniya of the Nepali Congress became the sixth person to lead the provincial government in August last year.

The 104-member provincial assembly requires the support of at least 53 lawmakers to form a government.

Baniya's resignation will clear the way for the formation of a new government in Bagmati, with the UML a...