The opposition alliance in Gandaki Province has submitted a total of 31 signatures of Provincial Assembly members in support of Krishna Chandra Nepali, the parliamentary party leader of the Nepali Congress, as the next chief minister.

In the 60-member Gandaki Provincial Assembly, the CPN-UML has 27 members, Congress 15, Maoist Centre 12, Rastriya Janamorcha 3, and the Janata Samajbadi Party has 2 members.

According to Nepali, who has been proposed for the post of chief minister, a majority of assembly members have asked Seeta Kumari Paudel, the provincial chief of Gandaki Province, to appoint him as Prithvi Subba Gurung’s successor.

Paudel on Friday had asked the parties to lay claim to a new government as per Article 168 (5) of the constitution.

On Friday, 15 assembly members from the Nepali Congress, 11 from the Maoist Centre, two each from Rastriya Janamorcha and Janata Samajbadi Party and one independent assembly member reached Paudel’s residence and submitted their signatures.

Krishna Thapa, an assembly member from Janamorcha, however, stayed neutral, going against his party’s decision.

Provincial Chief Paudel verified the signatures of the assembly members on Friday. However, a decision on the appointment of the new chief minister is expected on Saturday.

Paudel had given a deadline until 3pm on Saturday to form a new government.

On Thursday, Gandaki Chief Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung lost the vote of confidence in the Provincial Assembly. He had gone for the floor test after being reappointed the chief minister on May 12.

In the floor test, Gurung had secured 27 votes–four short of securing a majority.

Gurung required a minimum of 31 votes to continue his run. But one of the lawmakers abstained from the voting process. Rajeev Gurung, also known as Deepak Manange, who is a minister in Gurung's Cabinet, refrained from casting his vote.

On April 26, a no-confidence motion against Gurung was tabled at the Provincial Assembly. However, on May 12, he was again appointed as the chief minister after opposition parties failed to prove a majority to form a new government. Gurung was then required to take a floor test within 30 days.

“We have to bring the budget on June 13. We will have to present policy and programmes by then. That’s why I request the provincial chief to conduct the oath of new chief minister immediately,” said Nepali, the proposed chief minister.

According to him, a total of 31 lawmakers were physically present at the residence of the provincial chief to verify their signatures.

“There is no other alternative than to let us lead a new government since Gurung has already lost the vote of confidence,” said Nepali.