12 June 2021, Pokhara
Giving a new twist to the latest political development in Gandaki Province, ad-hoc Chief Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung has also submitted his claim for the formation of an alternative government in the province.
According to sources, just a few minutes before the 24-hour deadline for the submission of the claim for the post of Chief Minister expired, CPN-UML’s province parliamentary party (PP) leader and ad-hoc CM Gurung submitted the claim for the government.
Ironically, Gurung, like Prime Minister KP Oli, has submitted the claim of having majority in the Provincial Assembly (PA) despite failing to show his hold in the parliament. He had also failed the floor test in the parliament on Friday.
Earlier on Friday, the coalition, including the main opposition party Nepali Congress, had submitted the signatures of the majority, i.e. 31 members, to claim the CM’s office. The opposition had requested the governor to verify the claim and assured the province chief that they could produce all 31 lawmakers signing for them in person if needed.
Opposition parties suspect that Gurung’s claim is aimed at preventing the formation of new government. They think Gurung is paving way for the dissolution of the parliament.
In the 60-member assembly, CPN-UML has 27 lawmakers.
Opposition alliance comprising Nepali Congress 15, CPN-Maoist Center 11, Rastriya Janamorcha 2, Janata Samajbadi Party 2 and one independent lawmaker Deepak Manange has claimed the support of 31 lawmakers.
