Article 188: Provisions relating to the vote of confidence and the motion of no-confidence

1) The Chief Minister may, whenever he or she considers necessary or appropriate to show that he or she has confidence from the State Assembly, table a resolution to that effect in the State Assembly for the vote of confidence.

2) If the political party which the Chief Minister represents is divided or a political party in the coalition State Government withdraws its support, the Chief Minister shall table a resolution in the State Assembly for a vote of confidence within thirty days.

3) If a resolution tabled under clauses (1) and (2) is not passed by a majority of the total number of members of the State Assembly, the Chief Minister shall be relieved of his or her office.

4) One-fourth of the total number of members of the State Assembly may table in writing a motion of no-confidence against the Chief Minister.

Provided that a motion of no confidence may not be tabled until the first two years after the appointment of the Chief Minister and until another year after the date of failure of the motion of no confidence once tabled.

5) A motion of no confidence to be tabled under clause (4) shall also indicate the name of a member proposed for Chief Minister.

6) If a motion of no confidence tabled under clause (4) is passed by a majority of the total number of then members of the State Assembly, the Chief Minister shall be relieved of his or her office.

7) If the office of the Chief Minister falls vacant because of the passage of a vote of no-confidence under clause (6), the Chief of State shall, in accordance with Article 168, appoint as the Chief Minister the member of the State Assembly proposed under clause (5).