Key Takeaways:

• Khag Raj Bhatta appointed fifth CM of Sudurpaschim Province
• Province Chief Nazir Miya made the appointment Friday morning
• Bhatta's claim backed by UML leader and ex-CM Rajendra Singh Rawal
• Oath of office scheduled for 3pm at Province Chief's Office, Dhangadhi

DHANGADHI, AUGUST 14 Khag Raj Bhatta, parliamentary party leader of the Nepali Communist Party, has been appointed the fifth chief minister of Sudurpaschim Province, marking a fresh change in the provincial government. Province Chief Nazir Miya appointed Bhatta to the post after he staked his claim before the Province Chief on Friday morning. Bhatta's claim was backed by CPN-UML parliamentary party leader and former chief minister Rajendra Singh Rawal, according to the provincial government. Following the claim, Province Chief Miya appointed Bhatta chief minister and handed him his letter of appointment. The oath of office and secrecy for Bhatta and the newly appointed ministers has been scheduled for 3:00 pm on Friday itself at the Province Chief's Office in Dhangadhi. Earlier, Kamal Bahadur Shah had resigned as the CM on Thursday, 30 days after the CPN-UML withdrew support from his government over a dispute surrounding the provincial budget.