Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Mangal Bahadur Shahi has been appointed as the Chief Minister of Karnali.
Province Chief Yagya Raj Joshi appointed Shahi, the parliamentary party leader of the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), as the Chief Minister as per Article 169 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015.
After the Nepali Congress (NC) decided to walk out of the alliance with the CPN-UML in provinces, the latter formed a new alliance with the NCP on Saturday. As per the understanding reached between the two parties, UML will form government in Koshi, Bagmati and Lumbini, while the NCP will lead the coalition governments in Karnali and Sudurpashchim.
Shahi will replace Yam Lal Kandel of CPN-UML, who stepped down from the opposition after the two parties decided that the NCP will form government in Karnali.
Earlier, Shahi had submitted a claim to form government at the Office of the Province Chief with the signatures of 23 lawmakers – 14 from the NCP and nine from the CPN-UML.
The two parties are yet to decide on the selection of ministers and allocation of ministerial portfolios.
Shahi, who started his political career from the CPN-UML, joined the CPN (Maoist) in 2001. He was elected to the provincial assembly from the Mugu-1(B) seat.
