Dormani Poudel to become chief minister of Province 3

KATHMANDU, Feb 9: CPN-UML has elected Dormani Poudel as the parliamentary party leader of Province 3. He was elected through as internal voting held on Friday. Poudel defeated Asta Laxmi Shakya in the race securing 34 votes out 58 votes. UML has 58 lawmakers in Province 3.

Since the party holds majority in province assembly, Poudel is certain to be elected as the chief minister of Province 3.

After failing to nominate chief ministers in consensus, UML had called for an internal voting to finalize candidate for the post. The election was held at 12:30 pm.

UML is also holding internal election in Province 1 today, where former ministers Sher Dhan Rai and Bhim Acharya are in the race.

In Province 4 chief ministerial post, the leaders are still making efforts to find consensus. Prithivi Shubba Gurung, close to Oli and Kiran Gurung, close to Bamdev Gautam are in the race for the post. UML’s Shankhar Pokhrel has already been elected as the parliamentary party leader in Province 5 unopposed.

UML’s left alliance partner CPN (Maoist Center) has already selected Mahendra Bahadur Shahi and Trilochan Bhatta as the chief ministers of Province 6 and 7 respectively.