KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) has announced its intention to challenge the formation of a new government in Gandaki Province, declaring it unconstitutional.
Following a meeting of key party leaders convened at President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha earlier today, the decision was made to pursue legal action by taking the case to the Supreme Court.
Leader Ramesh Lekhak has been tasked with filing a writ petition at the apex court, in collaboration with legal experts, to contest the formation of the new government.
The controversy arose after the resignation of Chief Minister Surendra Pandey of the Nepali Congress, prompting the ruling alliance to assert its claim for the post and subsequently establish a new government.
Khagaraj Adhikari, a parliamentary party leader of the CPN-UML, has been appointed as the new Chief Minister of the province.
Adhikari’s appointment garnered support from 31 lawmakers in the province, including 22 from UML, eight from CPN (Maoist Center), and Speaker Rajiv Gurung, also known as Deepak Manange.
The decision to support Adhikari by Speaker Krishna Dital without resigning from his post has been contested by the Nepali Congress, terming the formation of the new government as ‘unconstitutional’.
With 31 lawmakers required to form a majority government in the province, the current configuration raises questions about the legitimacy of the new government.
Gandaki Provincial Assembly comprises 27 lawmakers from Nepali Congress and two from Rastriya Prajatantra Party.
The NC’s move to challenge the formation of the new government underscores the ongoing political tensions and legal disputes surrounding the governance of Gandaki Province.
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