Khagaraj Bhatta sworn in as Sudurpashchim Chief Minister

KATHMANDU: Newly appointed Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister Khagaraj Bhatta has taken the oath of office and secrecy.

Province Chief Nazir Miyan administered the oath to Bhatta at a special ceremony held at the Office of the Province Chief on Friday.

Earlier on Friday morning, Province Chief Miyan appointed Bhatta as Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province. Bhatta had reached the Province Chief’s Office and staked his claim to form the provincial government.

His claim was backed by Rajendra Singh Rawal, leader of the CPN-UML parliamentary party in the province assembly.

Bhatta replaces Kamal Bahadur Shah of Nepali Congress, who stepped down on Thursday after it became certain that he would not pass the floor test following the withdrawal of support by coalition partner UML.