KATHMANDU: Political parties in Bagmati Province have begun negotiations to form a new provincial government after the CPN (UML) withdrew its support from the Nepali Congress.

The move has prompted both the ruling coalition and the Nepali Congress to step up efforts to secure a majority in the provincial assembly.

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

Although the ruling coalition has agreed that the CPN (UML) and the Nepali Communist Party will jointly form the next government, the two parties together fall short of the majority needed to take power.

Jagannath Thapaliya, leader of the CPN (UML) parliamentary party in Bagmati Province, said the party is holding continuous discussions with the Nepali Communist Party and other potential allies to secure the required numbers.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress Bagmati Province Chief Whip Pukar Maharjan said the party has also launched talks to form a government under its own leadership. He said discussions are underway with the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, the Nepal Workers’ and Peasants’ Party, and the Hamro Nepali Party to explore the possibility of forming a new coalition.