KATHMANDU, Aug 20: CPN-UML provincial assembly member Kiran Thapa Magar is set to be appointed chief minister of Bagmati Province on Thursday, with his swearing-in scheduled for later in the afternoon.
Thapa Magar submitted his claim for the chief minister’s post on Wednesday with the support of the UML, Nepali Communist Party (NCP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).
The Office of the Province Chief said in a statement that Thapa Magar will be appointed chief minister at 4:05 p.m., followed by his swearing-in ceremony at 4:20 p.m.
UML's Kiran Thapa Magar appointed seventh chief minister of Bag...
The RPP had urged the Province Chief not to recognize the letter of support submitted by its Bagmati parliamentary party leader. Despite the objection, the Province Chief is preparing to appoint Thapa Magar with the support of the RPP.
A total of 53 provincial assembly members are required for a majority in Bagmati. The UML and NCP were short of two seats, but secured a majority after the RPP, which has 12 members, extended its support.
The RPP is also set to join the provincial government with three ministries, despite its central leadership’s decision not to join the government at present.
The decision to join the Bagmati government has triggered an internal dispute within the RPP. The party’s Central Executive Committee had previously decided against joining the government, but that decision was not implemented in Bagmati.
RPP Chair Rajendra Lingden has warned that disciplinary action will be taken against those who act against the party’s decision.
