KATHMANDU:Political parties in Bagmati Province have initiated talks to form a new provincial government after the CPN (UML) withdrew its support from the incumbent Nepali Congress-led administration.

The withdrawal of support has prompted both the newly aligned central power partnership and the Nepali Congress to step up efforts to secure a majority in the provincial assembly.

The 104-member Bagmati Provincial Assembly requires 53 lawmakers to form a government. Currently, the Nepali Congress is the largest party with 36 seats, followed by the Nepali Communist Party with 26, CPN (UML) with 25, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) with 12, Nepal Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (NWPP) with 3, and Hamro Nepali Party with 2 seats.

Although the CPN (UML) and the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) have aligned to form the next government under their central agreement, their combined total of 51 seats falls short of the required 53-seat majority in Bagmati.

Jagannath Thapaliya, leader of the CPN (UML) parliamentary party in Bagmati Province, stated that the party is holding continuous discussions with the NCP and other potential allies to bridge the gap and secure the required numbers.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress Bagmati Province Chief Whip Pukar Maharjan said the party is actively working to retain government leadership. He shared that discussions are underway with the RPP, NWPP, and Hamro Nepali Party to explore forming a new coalition under Nepali Congress leadership.