Himal Press 
ITAHARI: The Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Center) have reached an understanding to form the government in Koshi Province once again, with Uddhab Thapa of the Nepali Congress as the Chief Minister. To secure the required majority for government formation, the ruling coalition has succeeded in making Speaker Babu Ram Gautam resign from his post.
Speaker Gautam formally resigned from his position on Tuesday afternoon. His resignation letter, addressed to Deputy Speaker Srijana Danwuar, has been registered at the Koshi Province Assembly Secretariat, according to Province Assembly Secretary Gopal Prasad Parajuli.
Province Chief Parshuram Khapung has given the parties until 5 pm on Tuesday to make a claim for government formation as per Article 168 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal.
Initially, the coalition had tried to persuade the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), which has six seats in the provincial assembly, to join the government. However, the party cold-shouldered the proposal. This made the resignation of Speaker Babu Ram Gautam the only option to reach the magic number of 47 required for a majority.
Although Speaker Gautam was initially reluctant to step down, sources say the Maoist Center leadership has convinced him to tender his resignation. If Gautam steps down, the NC-Maoist Center coalition will have the required majority to form the government in the 93-member provincial assembly.
Earlier, the coalition made the claim for government formation using the signature of Speaker Gautam. Although Province Chief Khapung duly appointed Thapa as the chief minister, the Supreme Court invalidated Thapa’s government ruling that the Speaker’s role is neutral and, therefore, he cannot extend support for government formation.
