Janamat Party lawmaker Satish Kumar Singh on Friday staked claim for the position of Madhesh chief minister.

Leaders from six political parties, including the Janamat Party, seconded Singh’s claim submitted to Province Head Sumitra Subedi Bhandari for his appointment as chief minister.

In the 107-strong Madhesh assembly, the support of 54 assembly members is required for a simple majority. It has been claimed that Singh has the support of 55 lawmakers.

Singh has the backing of 24 members from the CPN-UML, 13 from the Janamat Party, nine from the CPN (Maoist Center), seven from the CPN (Unified Socialist) and one each from Nagarik Unmukti Party and Nepal Sanghiya Samajbadi Party.

On Wednesday evening, Province Head Sumitra Bhandari had invited parties for government formation in accordance with Article 168(2) of the Constitution. The parties have until 10 am Friday to submit their claims. The provision states that in cases where no party has a clear majority in the assembly under clause(1), the Province Head shall appoint as the chief minister a member of the assembly who can command a majority with the support of two or more parties representing the provincial assembly.

The call for the new government formation was made after outgoing Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav lost his position, 17 months into his appointment, after failing to secure a vote of confidence during a floor test in the provincial assembly.

A meeting of the provincial assembly rejected the motion tabled by the chief minister seeking the assembly’s trust. Of the 103 members present in the meeting, 50 members of the assembly voted in favour of his motion while 53 voted against.

The new chief minister must secure the confidence of the provincial assembly within 30 days of appointment.