DHANGADHI: Mohan Raj Malla, governor of province 7 has administered the oath of office and secrecy to Provincial Assembly members at the District Coordination Committee meeting hall in Dhangadhi on Sunday.

51 out of 53 elected provincial members took the oath of office from provincial head amid a special ceremony held beyond scheduled time today.

Governor Malla administered oath to Divya Swari Shah, eldest PA members, followed by other members, after assuming office at Provincial Chief Office at Uttarbehadi in Dhangadhi.

Nepali Congress leader Bharat Khadka elected from Doti district could not attend the oath taking ceremony due to his daughter's marriage on Monday.

Likewise, Chun Kumari Chaudhary, Provincial Assembly member under UML Proportional Representation, could not reach Dhangadhi from Kathmandu, due to her personnel reason.

On the occasion, Members of Parliament, Gauri Shankar Chaudhary and Bhairab Bahadur Singh were also present. Chaudhary and Singh were elected from Kailali and Bajhang district respectively.

The ceremony which was supposed to start at 11:00 am was postponed to 2:00 pm after Provincial Head Malla and other Provincial Assembly members under Proportional Representation arrived Dhangadhi late from Kathmandu today.

"It's a historical day which has given motivation to strengthen republic and federalism in the country," Govinda Bohara PA member under Nepali Congress Proportional Representation said post the ceremony.

"Provincial Chief Malla has committed to fulfill state given responsibility in latter phase of his life with honesty and vowed to work within the spirit of the Constitution.