CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Trilochan Bhatta has been appointed chief minister of Province 7 on Thursday. He was unanimously elected as Maoist Centre Parliamentary Party leader recently.

Province Governor Mohanraj Malla appointed Bhatta as the chief minister by exercising Article 168 (2) of the constitution.

Bhatta was elected from Doti Provincial Assembly ‘constituency B’ under Maoist Centre. He had claimed the chief minister post on Wednesday with support of 37 parliamentarians. Left Alliance has two-thirds majority in Province 7 with 25 lawmakers of CPN-UML and 14 of Maoist Centre.

Governor office informed that the oath taking ceremony for the chief minister will be conducted on February 17. It is learnt that a small-size cabinet will be incorporated along with the oath taking programme.