Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP) lawmaker Kailash Chaudhary has laid a claim to the post of Chief Minister of Sudurpashchim on Sunday.
In a bid to become the chief minister, Chaudhary submitted his claim paper to Province Chief Najir Miya with the backing of 27 lawmakers including 10 each from CPN (Maoist Center) and CPN (UML) and six from NUP and one independent lawmaker Dr Tara Prasad Joshi, a NUP leader said.
Kailash, who is considered close to NUP Chairperson Ranjita, has two lawmakers in his support. Of the seven provincial lawmakers, five were in support of Resham Chaudhary, the husband of Ranjita. With Indira Giri being relieved of her post by chairperson Ranjita, there are only four lawmakers in support of Resham.
On the other hand, Resham faction has fielded Laxman Kishor Chaudhary with the backing of Nepali Congress, Unified Socialist and Rastriya Prajatantra Party.
Laxman Kishor has also submitted a claim to the Chief Minister with 27 lawmakers including 18 from Nepali Congress, four from NUP (loyal to Resham), four from Unified Socialist and one from RPP.
The support of 26 lawmakers is required to form the government after two lawmakers were relieved of their posts in the 53-member Sudurpashchim Province Assembly.
Kailash Chaudhary submitted his claim with the support of 11 lawmakers including the speaker from Maoist Center, 10 from UML, six from NUP (2 Ranjita) and one independent lawmaker, representing the ruling alliance.
Province Chief Najir Miya said that he will take a decision on the issue following legal consultations.
