KATHMANDU: Government formation in Bagmati Province has become uncertain after the CPN-UML and NCP alliance fell short of a majority, making support from smaller parties crucial.

The alliance has 51 lawmakers-25 from UML and 26 from NCP-two short of the 53 votes required to form a government. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), with 12 seats, and the Hamro Nepali Party (HNP), with two seats, have emerged as kingmakers.

While RPP’s backing would provide the alliance with a comfortable majority, HNP’s support alone would give it only the minimum required votes. UML and NCP have intensified efforts to bring RPP into the new government.

Although the Bagmati Provincial Assembly has 110 seats, only 104 lawmakers currently remain after six members resigned to contest House of Representatives by-elections. The alliance’s numbers are further constrained as UML Deputy Speaker Apsara Chapagain is not expected to vote under normal circumstances.

Meanwhile, competition has also emerged within UML over the chief minister’s post. Under the UML-NCP power-sharing agreement, UML is expected to lead the governments in Bagmati, Lumbini and Koshi provinces.

UML parliamentary party leader Jagannath Thapaliya is considered the frontrunner for chief minister, but lawmaker Kiran Thapa has also staked a claim and is lobbying the party leadership for support.