Bhatta recommended as Province 7 CM

Dhangadi, February 14

The left alliance today recommended the appointment of CPN-MC Provincial Assembly member Trilochan Bhatta as chief minister of Province 7 to Governor Mohan Raj Malla.

Twenty-five CPN-UML and 14 CPN-MC assembly lawmakers of the alliance submitted the recommendation letter to Governor Malla. “Of the 39 lawmakers, 37 put their signatures on the recommendation letter, while CPN-UML’s Harka Bahadur Kunwar and Nirmala Badal could not sign the document because they were out of the district,” said Bhatta, who is also the CPN-MC parliamentary party leader.

Acting Secretary at the governor’s office Hira Lal Chaudhary said the CM would be appointed tomorrow. Earlier, Governor Malla had called on the party leaders to recommend a candidate from a party with majority seats for the CM at his office before February 16. Acting Secretary Chaudhary said Governor Malla held discussion with the parties regarding appointment of the chief minister and formation of provincial government yesterday.

Governor Malla held discussion with forces representing in the Provincial Assembly including the CPN-UML, CPN-MC, NC and Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal at around 8:00am yesterday.

Earlier, the CPN-UML and CPN-MC reached understanding on letting the CPN-MC lead the government in the province. CPN-MC Province Committee decided to pick Bhatta as the CM candidate. Trilochan Bhatta was elected from Doti.

There are 25 lawmakers from CPN-UML, 14 from CPN-MC, 12 from Nepali Congress and two from Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal in Province 7. Arjun Bahadur Thapa has already been elected speaker of the PA unopposed. Leaders of the CPN-UML and CPN-MC have been lobbying with the leadership for ministerial berths.