Political parties have not yet come up with an agreement on the chief minister in Province 1 even though the deadline issued by the Governor to stake claim for the post is expiring at 5 pm today.
Province Chief Parshuram Khapung had called on the parties represented in the Province Assembly of Province 1 to stake claim for the post of chief minister with two or more than two parties in accordance with Article 168 (2) of the constitution on January 1.
Both the CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoist Center) are bargaining that they should get the leadership in the province. UML leader Hikmat Karki has claimed that his party is sure to take the helm of the government in Province 1 since there are no differences on this issue in the center.
“An agreement has been reached by ruling parties in the center. A government will be formed under the leadership of the UML,” said Karki, the parliament party (PP) leader of UML Province 1.
However, the Maoist Center has said that it is still undecided who will become the chief minister since the discussion is still underway in the center.
Talking to Nepalkhabar, PP leader Indra Bahadur Angbo said, “It is still undecided on who will become the chief minister in Province 1 since the discussion is still underway among the ruling party leaders in the center.”
Similarly, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), the ruling coalition partners, have six and one seat, respectively.
RPP PP leader of Province 1 Bhakti Prasad Sitaula said Karki will stake claim for the post of the chief minister and a small cabinet will be formed under his leadership on Sunday itself.
“An agreement has been reached and a small cabinet will be formed on Sunday itself,” said Sitaula.
The Nepali Congress has 29 seats and CPN (Unified Socialist) has four seats in the province. Two or more than two parties have to collaborate to form a government in Province 1 sine no party garnered a majority in the November 20 elections.
