BIRATNAGAR: The fate of Koshi Province’s government, led by Chief Minister Hikmat Karki, hangs in the balance as it faces a pivotal moment today.
Chief Minister Karki has placed an agenda on the table – securing a vote of confidence during the afternoon session of the state assembly.
Barring any unforeseen shifts in the country’s political landscape, the only provincial government governed by the CPN-UML party could crumble within the next 30 days.
The legitimacy of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thapa’s vote of confidence on August 21 was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, leading to a directive on September 7 to form a government under the leadership of the largest party in Koshi, in accordance with Article 168 of the Constitution.
Following this court order, UML leader Karki assumed the role of Chief Minister for the second time on September 8.
Karki’s initial appointment as Chief Minister on January 8, 2023, ended abruptly on June 29 when he failed to secure a vote of confidence.
Today, Chief Minister Karki finds himself facing the same critical test in the state assembly after three months.
However, this time, even the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), which holds six seats in the state assembly, is unlikely to support CM Karki.
As a result, Chief Minister Karki is anticipated to garner only 39 votes from his own party, UML, within the state assembly today. UML currently holds 40 seats in the assembly.
However, the presence of Deputy Speaker Srijana Danuwar, who will preside over the state assembly meeting, adds a unique twist.
According to constitutional provisions, the Deputy Speaker, when presiding over a Provincial Assembly meeting without a Speaker, cannot vote except in the event of a tie.
The Supreme Court, in addressing this issue during hearings against the coalition government’s formation, clarified that the person presiding over the meeting should act as a referee and that the Speaker cannot cast a vote unless there is a tie.
Given this interpretation by the Supreme Court, it is unlikely that the Deputy Speaker will be able to vote.
In this scenario, the Nepali Congress, with 29 seats, the Maoist Center with 13 seats, the United Socialist with 4 seats, and the Janata Samajwadi Party with one MP, are expected to oppose the Chief Minister.
Consequently, Chief Minister Karki is unlikely to secure the votes necessary to maintain his government. He requires 47 votes for a majority in the 93-member state assembly.
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