KATHMANDU: Hikmat Karki, the leader of the CPN-UML parliamentary party in Koshi province, has been reinstated as the Chief Minister of Koshi Province, marking his second tenure in the role.
His appointment was carried out by Province Chief Parashuram Khapung, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive issued on Thursday.
Karki has officially taken the oath of office and secrecy, with Province Chief Khapung administering the oath during a ceremony at the Office of the Province Chief.
The Supreme Court’s ruling on Thursday mandated Province Chief Khapung to appoint Karki as the leader of the largest party in compliance with Article 168 (3) of the Constitution. This directive was issued by a full bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices Sapana Malla Pradhan, Kumar Chudal, and Nahakul Subedi.
In the 93-member Koshi Province Assembly, the UML holds the largest share with 40 members, including the deputy speaker.
Now, Karki is obliged to seek a vote of confidence within the province assembly within the next 30 days. Given that the Deputy Speaker cannot cast a vote, only 39 MPs can potentially support Karki.
The province assembly comprises 29 MPs from Nepali Congress party, 13 from the Maoist Center, 6 from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, 4 from the CPN-Unified Socialist Party, and 1 from the Janata Samajbadi Party.
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