Himal Press 
ITAHARI: Uddhab Thapa of Nepali Congress (NC) has taken the oath as the fifth Chief Minister of Koshi Province.
Province Chief Parshuram Khapung administered the oath of office and secrecy to Thapa amid a ceremony on Wednesday. Khapung also administered the oath of office and secrecy to three ministers appointed by Thapa earlier in the day. Thapa has appointed Babu Ram Gautam from CPN (Maoist Center), Pradeep Sunuwar from NC and Kamal Jabegu from CPN (Unified Socialist) in his cabinet.
Former Speaker of the Koshi Province Assembly, Babu Ram Gautam, has been sworn in as the Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning. Similarly, Pradeep Sunuwar has been appointed as the Minister for Water Supply, Irrigation, and Energy, while Kamal Jabegu has been given the portfolio of physical infrastructure.
Thapa had previously been appointed as Chief Minister on July 6. But the Supreme Court scrapped his appointment, ruling that the support of the Speaker, who is expected to remain neutral, cannot be counted in government formation. Since the ruling coalition was one seat short of a majority to form the government, CPN (Maoist Center) asked Babu Ram Gautam to step down from the position of Speaker. Consequently, the party has now rewarded him with a ministerial position.
Chief Minister Thapa has stated that he will expand his cabinet only after receiving a vote of confidence from the provincial assembly. This move ensures that his government gains the necessary legitimacy and support to effectively carry out its duties.
