KATHMANDU: The CPN-UML Lumbini has nominated Chetnarayan Acharya for the position of Chief Minister of Lumbini Province. Acharya is expected to present his claim for the CM role to Province Chief Amik Sherchan later today. This comes as the deadline for submitting claims for forming a new government in Lumbini Province is set for 6:30 PM today, according to Article 168(2) of the constitution.

Previously, UML Lumbini had nominated Lila Giri for the CM position. The UML's decision to create a new coalition with the Nepali Congress (NC) brought a change in power dynamics, which led to the resignation of the previous Chief Minister, Jokh Bahadur Mahara, on Sunday. After the UML left the Maoist-led government, major support withdrawals from the likes of the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) and Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP) caused Mahara's administration to become a minority.

Mahara had initially become CM with the backing of 48 provincial lawmakers, but the realignment of parties has left him with only 12 supporters. The new NC-UML coalition aims to take over the provincial government, with the UML leading the charge. The coalition’s submission of claims will include signatures from a majority of provincial assembly members to meet the constitutional requirements for forming a new government.