Leaders of the ruling coalition in Kathmandu have decided to form a new government in Koshi Province under the leadership of Nepali Congress.

A meeting of coalition leaders held at the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar on Monday also decided that the Congress’ Uddab Thapa would be a candidate to lead the provincial government.

Rajendra Pandey, acting chair of CPN (Unified Socialist), who attended the meeting said the top leaders at the meeting decided to instruct provincial committee leaders of their respective parties to elect Thapa as chief minister as Congress is the largest party in Koshi among the coalition partners.

“Once the Congress leader is elected chief minister, other ministries will be allocated among the other coalition partners and that will be agreed upon based on inter-party negotiations,” Pandey said after the Baluwatar meeting.

According to him, coalition partners have decided to seek support of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party to form the government in Koshi. The RPP’s support is a must for the coalition to secure a majority in the provincial assembly.

After UML leader Hikmat Karki failed to garner a vote of confidence, the Maoist Centre, Congress, CPN (Unified Socialist) and Janata Samajbadi Party are working hard to form a new government but due to lack of the necessary numbers to ensure a majority, they had sought the help of the top leaders of their parties in Kathmandu.

The leaders of the coalition took the decision as the provincial head Parshuram Khapung on Sunday issued a notice calling upon political parties to come up with a proposal to form a new government within 5 pm Thursday.