KATHMANDU: As political dynamics shift in Madhesh Province, two leaders have submitted claims to form the provincial government.

On Wednesday, Krishna Prasad Yadav, parliamentary party leader of the Nepali Congress (NC), and Jitendra Sonal of the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party Nepal (LSP) each presented their claim to the Provincial Chief.

Yadav’s claim is backed by a coalition of Nepali Congress, CPN (UML), and Janamat Party, with a combined support of 58 provincial assembly members.

On the same day, Sonal submitted a joint claim supported by LSP, Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP), Janamat Party, CPN (Maoist Centre), and CPN (Unified Socialist), totaling 54 supportive assembly members.

The Janamat Party has emerged as a decisive player in this political equation. Analysts note that the party’s support, alternating between LSP and NC, could determine the outcome of government formation.

The Madhesh Provincial Assembly comprises 107 members from ten parties: UML (25), Nepali Congress (22), JSPN (19), Janamat Party (13), LSP and CPN-Unified Socialist (9 each), and one member each from Nepal Federal Socialist Party, Nagarik Unmukti Party, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party.