Now, negotiators from both parties are looking to reach an agreement to rotate the post of chief minster between them or forge alliance with other parties.

KATHMANDU, Jan 4: Even a month after the conclusion of the provincial elections, the formation of provincial government in Province 2 still remains uncertain as the two biggest Madhes-based parties in the race for chief minister have yet to start formal discussion on power-sharing.
 
Even as the left alliance comprising the CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) is certain form governments in the other six provinces, it is still unclear which party will form the government in province 2 due to the dispute over the chief minister.

The Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN), whose electoral alliance won majority parliamentary and provincial seats in the province, both are staking claim for chief minister post. But neither party has formally reached out to the other with a clear outline on government formation. 

Now, negotiators from both parties are looking to reach an agreement to rotate the post of chief minster between them or forge alliance with other parties.
  
"We have kept all doors open although our first choice is to form government in partnership with RJPN. We have already announced that our party, becoming the largest political force in the province, would take initiative to form the government," said FSFN Co Chair Rajendra Shrestha.  FSFN has 29 seats in the provincial assembly, while the RJPN has 25 seats.
 
FSFN Chairman Upendra Yadav is reportedly exploring the possibility of forming the government with the left parties if the efforts to form a government of Madhes-based parties fails. 

RJPN leaders have also stressed the need for a 'Madhes Sarkar' but refused to give up their claim for chief minister. A meeting of RJPN top guns on Wednesday decided to look for the possibility of forming a government under its leadership. 

RJPN presidium member Rajendra Mahato said it was natural for FSFN to stake claim to government leadership. 

"If FSFN wants to form government it should come forward with a concrete proposal. We would take an appropriate decision accordingly," said Mahato.
 
Since neither of the party is in a position to form government alone, they will have to seek support of either the left alliance or the Nepali Congress to form the government. The left has 32 seats, while NC has 19 seats. Granted that one of the two Madhes-based parties forms the government, Lal Babu Raut of FSFN and Jitendra Sonal and Manish Kumar Suman have seen as frontrunners for chief minister. 
  

 
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