He was elected unopposed as no one had filed candidacy to the post, said state assembly secretary Dr Rojnath Pandey.

CPN Maoist Centre lawmaker Shalikram Jammarkattel had proposed his name while UML lawmaker Rameshwar Phunyal had seconded the proposal. Senior member of the Provincial Assembly Dor Mani Poudel had announced Shrestha's unopposed election to the position of Speaker after the proposal and secondment had been passed by the assembly.

Newly elected Speaker Shrestha said that stable and steady government should now be formed in the province as well as the capital. He also added that he would make efforts toward implementation of the constitution and prosperity of the province, as that is what people have been waiting for.

The election of the speaker had taken place at the Provincial Assembly Secretariat hall in Hetauda at 3:00 pm today.

The election will now pave way for the appointment of other ministers in the state.