Parties invited to submit claims to form government in Sudurpashchim

KATHMANDU: Sudurpashchim Province Chief Nazir Miyan has invited political parties in the Sudurpashchim Province Assembly to submit their claims for government formation within seven days.

According to a statement issued by the Office of the Province Chief, the Province Chief has invited two or more parties to make a claim for government formation as per Article 168 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015.

Parties have until 5 pm on April 14 to secure the support of 27 assembly members to form a government in the province.

Four parties of the new ruling coalition – CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Center), Janata Samajbadi Party, and CPN (Unified Socialist) – have reached an understanding to form a government in Sudurpashchim under the leadership of Unified Socialist.

UML has 10 seats in the province assembly, while Maoist Center also has 10 (including the Speaker) and Unified Socialist has four. The coalition is three seats short of the required number to form a government.

However, it is expected to gain the support of the Nagarik Unmukti Party which has seven members. Although Nagarik Unmukti is embroiled in an intra-party feud due to differences between party patron Resham Lal Chaudhary and chairperson Ranjita Shrestha over whom to support to form a government in the province, it is expected to support Unified Socialist to form a government.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party has one member in the province assembly, while one is an independent member.