Himal Press 
ITAHARI: Anti-establishment faction of the Nepali Congress led by Dr Shekhar Koirala has won the support of CPN-UML to form government in Koshi Province.
A leader close to Koirala told Himal Press that Kedar Karki will make a claim for government formation later on Thursday. Karki will have the support of 40 members, including the Deputy Speaker, of UML and nine members of NC close to Shekhar Koirala.
Chief Minsiter aspirants need to secure the support of 47 members to form government in Koshi Province Assembly.
The Koirala-led faction forged a deal with CPN-UML hours after the ruling coalition decided to form a new government in the province under the leadership of CPN (Maoist Center).
CPN-UML is the largest party in the province assembly with 40 members in the 93-member province assembly. Likewise, the ruling coalition has 47 seats – the Nepali Congress (NC) has 29, Maoist Center has 13, RPP CPN (Unified Socialist) has four, and Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) has one.
Province Chief Parshuram Khapung has given parties until 5 pm on Friday to form government as per Article 168 (5) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015.
