Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader Surendra Pandey has been appointed as the Chief Minister of Gandaki Province.

According to Article 168 of the Constitution, Chief Minister Prithviman Gurung has appointed Pandey as the Chief Minister.

According to the new balance of power created for the presidential election, Khagraj Adhikari-led government was in a minority in Gandaki after the Maoist exit from the government and Adhikari could not get the vote of confidence. After Adhikari could not get the vote of confidence, the provincial chief Gurung gave a deadline and called for the formation of a government according to Article 168, Clause 2 of the Constitution. Accordingly, with the support of 35 MPs, Pandey submitted a claim for the Chief Ministership.

According to clause 2 of Article 168 of the Constitution, Pandey became the Chief Minister in accordance with the provision that the government can be formed with the support of two or more parties.

There are 27 MPs from Congress, 22 from UML, 8 from Maoist, 2 from RPP and 1 independent MP in Gandaki province.