By Ram Mani Dahal, Hetauda, Oct. 28: Parliamentary party leader of the CPN (Unified Socialist) in the Bagmati Province Assembly Rajendra Pande is likely to be appointed as the Chief Minister of the province as he has submitted a claim for the same with support from 59 provincial lawmakers.

In the existing 109-member assembly, the number of lawmakers backing leader Pande makes a simple majority for him to be appointed to the post.

Leader Pande staked his claim yesterday by submitting an application to the Province Chief, Yadav Chandra Sharma, after the notice for the formation of a new provincial government. Earlier, Bagmati Province Chief Minister Ashtalaxmi Shakya had resigned from the post as she felt she could not get the vote of confidence from the assembly although a proposal was tabled in the assembly for voting.

According to the secretariat of the Provincial Assembly, the Province Chief will appoint leader Pande to the post of Chief Minister and also administer the oath of office and secrecy today itself if no other provincial assembly member comes up with a claim backed by a majority of lawmakers for the post till the deadline for the claim -3 pm today.

Moreover, following the appointment of Pandey as the CM, a four-member council of ministers is being formed today. Pandey's cabinet will be comprised of the members of all coalition parties.

Members Kumari Moktan of NCP (Maoist Centre), Krishna Lal Bhadel of NC, and Krishna Prasad Khanal of Unified Socialist are expected to participate in the government.