Aug 14, Kathmandu - Khagaraj Bhatta, the leader of the Provincial Parliamentary Party of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), has been appointed as the new Chief Minister of Sudurpashim Province. The province's chief Najiir Mia appointed Bhatta to the position in accordance with Article 168(2) of the Constitution of Nepal on Friday, making him the fifth person to hold the office in the province.

This change comes amidst shifting power dynamics at the national level, following the resignation of the incumbent Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah on Thursday. The formation of a new government under Bhatta's leadership signals ongoing political realignments in the province.

With no single party holding an outright majority in the 52-member Provincial Assembly—after one member resigned—Bhatta's support base comfortably exceeds the 27 votes needed for a majority. The ruling coalition comprises 22 members from the Nepal Communist Party and 11 from the UML, totaling 33 allies. Additionally, the Nepali Congress has 18 members, and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has one, indicating a fragile but functional coalition.

Sudurpashim Province has experienced a series of political upheavals since its establishment. The first five-year term saw the leadership of Maoist leader Trilochan Bhatta, but subsequent assemblies have been marred by instability. Past Chief Ministers included Ranjendra Singh Raut, who served briefly from late Paush 28, 2079 to late Magh 26, followed by Congress leaders Kamal Bahadur Shah and Dinesh Soodari, each serving short tenures. The recent political turmoil culminated in Bhatta's appointment, marking yet another chapter in the province's ongoing political saga.