BIRATNAGAR: Hikmat Karki, the leader of the CPN-UML Koshi parliamentary party, expressed his commitment to initiate the process of forming a government by garnering support from other political parties.

Karki stated that he intends to engage in dialogue, particularly with the Nepali Congress, to collaborate in maintaining the unique federal structure of the Koshi province.

He also commended the Supreme Court’s decision to “protect” the Constitution.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court issued a mandate stipulating that the leader of the largest party in the Koshi province should become the Chief Minister.

Karki emphasized, “There is no alternative but to forge a consensus and progress together. We are always open to forming a coalition.”

The Supreme Court’s directive, citing Article 168 (3) of the Constitution, instructed Koshi Chief Parashuram Khapung to appoint the Chief Minister from the largest party within the provincial assembly within 48 hours.

The order was issued by a bench consisting of Justices Sapana Malla Pradhan, Kumar Chudal, and Nahakul Subedi.

The full bench, including Justices Malla, Chudal, and Subedi, commenced hearings on the writ filed by Hikmat Karki, the parliamentary party leader of the main opposition party in Koshi, on Monday.

This legal action was initiated after Chief Minister Uddhav Thapa took a vote of confidence on August 21, following a vote of confidence given by Israel Mansuri of the Nepali Congress, who presided over the parliament as a senior member.

Karki, who is also a former Chief Minister, demanded a mandamus to remove Chief Minister Thapa and appoint the leader of the largest party as the new Chief Minister.

In a related case, the Supreme Court, during a hearing on August 24, ordered the Koshi province government not to make any decisions with long-term implications.

Previously, the Supreme Court had annulled the appointment of Chief Minister Thapa when outgoing Speaker Baburam Gautam signed Thapa’s appointment as Chief Minister.

The UML, which is the largest party in the province, holds 40 seats in the 93-member provincial assembly.