Makwanpur, July 30 -- Indra Bahadur Baniya, the provincial president of the ruling Nepali Congress in Bagmati, has been elected as the party's parliamentary leader on Wednesday, unseating Chief Minister Bahadur Singh Lama amid escalating factional tensions.

In a closely watched vote, Baniya secured 22 votes, defeating Lama, who received 14. One vote was invalid. Of the 37 Congress lawmakers in the Bagmati Provincial Assembly, the outcome reflects a clear shift in internal support.

Wednesday's election followed a no-confidence motion brought against Lama under Baniya's leadership. The motion passed on Tuesday with 22 lawmakers backing it. Lama had previously held the post since December 2022, when he had narrowly defeated Baniya by a mar...