CPN-UML’s provincial assembly leader Rajendra Singh Rawal has been appointed Sudurpaschim Province chief minister.

Sudurpaschim Province chief Dev Raj Joshi appointed Rawal to the post after the latter laid his claim for the post with the support of 29 provincial assembly members. Rawal will take an oath of office and secrecy on Thursday morning.

Rawal is supported by 10 provincial assembly members of UML, 11 of CPN (Maoist Centre), seven of Nagarik Unmukti Party and one provincial assembly member of Rastriya Prajatantra Party. The UML is the third largest force in the provincial assembly.

The office of the Province Head had called on the provincial assembly members to present the majority through the support of two or more parties represented in the provincial assembly to be appointed the chief minister by 5pm on Wednesday, as per Article 168 (2) of the constitution of Nepal.

Support from 27 provincial assembly members is needed to form the government in the province that has a 53-member provincial assembly.

As per the power-sharing deal reached in Kathmandu, UML and CPN (Maoist Centre) will lead the provincial government on a rotation basis.