Shankar Pokharel sworn in as Lumbini Chief Minister

KATHMANDU: Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Shankar Pokharel, who was re-appointed after resigning earlier Sunday, has taken the oath of office and secrecy at the Office of the Chief of the Province this evening amid protests from the opposition.

The swearing in ceremony continued despite the opposition lawmakers picketing the Office of the Governor to stop the move.

Province Governor Dharma Nath Yadav administered the oath to CM Pokharel.

Earlier, Governor Yadav appointed Pokhrel, leader of the CPN-UML and Lumbini parliamentary party, as the new chief minister in accordance with Article 168 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal. Pokharel resigned from the post of CM earlier Sunday and immediately laid the claim to form a majority government.

After the Governor re-appointed Pokharel as many as three UML lawmakers have tendered their resignation stating they did not back Pokharel being re-appointed.

As many as 40 lawmakers of the Lumbini Provincial Assembly (PA) also met Chief Yadav in the afternoon and submitted a written request to stop the swearing, citing that Pokharel lacked the so-called majority.

They have been saying although 41 MPs were in favor of UML in the 81-member PA, the number has reduced to 40 after Oli (Khatri) reportedly left the UML to join Maoist Center.