Pandey says he is still in contention for Gandaki Chief Minister

POKHARA: Outgoing Gandaki Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey has said that he is still a contender for the position.

Talking to reporters after submitting his resignation to Province Chief Dilli Raj Bhatta on Wednesday, Pandey said he would start discussions with other parties regarding the formation of a new government in the province.

“As per Article 168 (2) of the Constitution, one can stake a claim to form a government with the support of two or more parties. I can make the claim again,” he added.

Pandey stepped down after CPN (Maoist Center) withdrew support from his coalition government last month. The Maoist Center took the decision after forming a new coalition with CPN-UML and Rastriya Swatantra Party to form a new federal government.

As per the power-sharing deal among the ruling coalition partners, UML will form the next government in Gandaki Province. However, it will be difficult for the party to form government in the province as UML and Maoist Center together have only 30 seats in the 60-member Gandaki Province Assembly.

Parties need to have the support of 31 members to form a government in Gandaki.

UML leaders, however, are hopeful of getting the support of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), which has two members in Gandaki, to form the government.