KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Indra Bahadur Baniya is set to be appointed as the sixth Chief Minister of Bagmati Province today.

Baniya, who also serves as the President of the Nepali Congress Bagmati Province Committee, submitted his claim for the Chief Minister’s position at the Province Chief’s Office on Monday, following the resignation of Bahadur Singh Lama.

After Lama’s resignation was officially accepted, Province Chief Deepak Prasad Devkota invited claims for the post of Chief Minister under Article 168(2) of the Constitution, with a submission deadline of 2 PM today.

Baniya submitted his claim with the support of all 37 Nepali Congress MPs and 27 MPs from coalition partner CPN-UML, securing a total of 64 votes—well above the required majority of 56 in the 110-member Provincial Assembly.

Following the expiry of the deadline, Province Chief Devkota is scheduled to appoint Baniya as Chief Minister. The oath of office and secrecy has been set for 4 PM at the Province Chief’s Office.

The provincial government is being formed in accordance with Article 168(2) of the Constitution, which provides that if no single party holds a majority, a Provincial Assembly member who can command a majority with the support of two or more parties may be appointed Chief Minister.

According to a Nepali Congress MP, Baniya is also preparing to expand the Council of Ministers immediately after taking the oath. Ministers from both the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML are expected to be appointed.

The composition of the 110-member Bagmati Provincial Assembly is as follows: Nepali Congress (37), CPN-UML (27), CPN (Maoist Centre) (21), Rastriya Prajatantra Party (13), CPN (Unified Socialist) (7), Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party (3), and Hamro Nepali Party (2). RSS