Former Energy Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Parliamentary Party leader Mahendra Bahadur Shahi has been appointed as the Chief Minister of Province 6.

Shahi was appointed as the Chief Minister after CPN-UML and Maoist Centre lawmakers registered a letter with signatures at the Province Chief’s office.

Province Chief Durga Keshar Khanal appointed Shahi according to Article 168 (2) of the Nepal’s constitution.

He will be administered the oath of office and secrecy at 3 pm on Friday.

The appointment of Chief Minister in Province 6 was delayed after the UML floated a proposal to lead the government on rotation basis.

Following a whole-day meeting on Thursday, lawmakers of both the parties reached the Province Chief’s office with the letter.

The leaders of both parties, however, were reluctant to disclose the agreement reached between the two parties in the meeting.

In the 40-member Province Assembly, UML and Maoist Centre have 20 and 13 lawmakers respectively.

Leaders said that the ministries and ministers will be finalised on Friday.

According to UML Parliamentary Party leader Yam Lal Kandel, the ministers will be administered the oath of office and secrecy tomorrow itself.