KATHMANDU: Political tensions in Sudurpashchim Province have escalated rapidly, with today marking the deadline for government formation claims.

On Sunday, a new agreement was reached between the major political players in the province: Nepali Congress, Nagarik Unmukti Party, and CPN-Unified Socialist.

It is reported that Laxman Kishor Chaudhary from the Nagarik Unmukti Party, Dirgha Sodari from CPN-Unified Socialist, along with Kamal Bahadur Shah from NC, have pledged support for Chaudhary’s candidacy for the Chief Minister position.

In Sudurpashchim, the Resham Chaudhary faction of Nagarik Unmukti holds four seats, Nepali Congress has 18 seats, and CPN-Unified Socialist has four seats.

With this alliance, Chaudhary has secured the necessary 26 votes to claim a majority in the 51-member provincial assembly.

Despite earlier agreements between CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist Center, and the Ranjita Shrestha faction of Nagarik Unmukti Party to let Nagarik Unmukti lead the government in Sudurpaschim, and Shrestha’s plans to nominate a candidate from her faction today, the Resham Chaudhary faction has formed an alliance with NC.

The provincial assembly, originally comprising 53 members, now stands at 51, as one lawmaker has passed away and another has been relieved of her post by the Nagarik Unmukti party.