Nepali Congress provincial assembly leader Surendra Raj Pandey has been appointed the chief minister of Gandaki Province on Thursday.

Provincial head Prithviman Gurung appointed Pandey to the post after the latter presented his claim with the signatures of majority members of the provincial assembly.

The newly appointed chief minister will take an oath of office and secrecy on Friday.

The Nepali Congress and the CPN (Maoist Centre) have agreed to lead the government by turns in the province.

Provincial head Gurung on Tuesday had called on the political parties represented in the provincial assembly to form a new government within three days as per Article 138 (2) of the Constitution.

CPN-UML leader Khaga Raj Adhikari-led government collapsed after he failed to garner a vote of confidence on Saturday. A provincial assembly member needs the support of at least 31 members to be elected as chief minister in the 60-strong provincial assembly.

Nepali Congress has 27 members, UML has 22 members, Maoist Centre has seven [except Speaker Krishna Dhital who is from the party] and Rastriya Prajatantra Party has two members in the Gandaki province assembly. The assembly also has an independently elected candidate.