Sherdhan Rai, Mohammad Lalbabu Raut and Shankar Pokharel were appointed as Chief Minister (CM) of Province 1, 2 and 5 respectively on Wednesday. The trio are scheduled to take oath of office on Thursday.

In Biratnagar, Governor of Province 1 Govinda Bahadur Tumbahang appointed CPN-UML Parliamentary Party (PP) leader Rai as chief minister of the province. The provincial chief handed over him the appointment letter.

Rai, who is considered close to UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, was elected the UML PP leader with 26 votes. His closest challenger Bhim Acharya received 24 votes. The UML has 51 members in the 93-strong Provincial Assembly in Province 1.

After the appointment, CM Rai pledged to control corruption and maintain good governance.

He said he would form a small cabinet soon considering the economic burden on the province.

In Janakpur, Governor of Province 2 Ratneshworlal Kayastha appointed Parliamentary Party (PP) leader of Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum-Nepal (SSFN) Raut.

Kayastha conferred the appointment letter to Raut, granting him the authority to expand provincial council of ministers. Raut, who is from the Muslim community, laid his claim to lead the provincial executive with the support of the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal. 

Receiving the appointment letter, Raut expressed his commitment to fulfill the aspirations of those Madhesi people who attained martyrdom during Madhes movements.

“I will move forward forging political consensus,” said Raut. In another context, Raut said that permanent capital would be decided by the provincial assembly.

Similarly, UML PP leader Pokharel was appointed as the CM of Province 5. Governor Umakanta Jha conferred him the CM appointment letter amid a function in Butwal, the temporary provincial capital. The party source said that Pokharel would form a small cabinet soon after his swearing in on Thursday.