BIRATNAGAR: The CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Center have stepped up their bid for government formation in Koshi Province.

On Thursday, CPN-UML parliamentary party leader Hikmat Karki announced his submission of a claim for Chief Minister to Parshuram Khapung, supported by 52 MPs, including 39 from UML and 13 from the Maoist Center.

Karki stated that even members of the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) have backed their endeavor.

According to the constitutional provision outlined in Article 168, Province Chief Khapung invited any parliamentarian capable of securing a vote of confidence in the provincial assembly to stake their claim.

This call was made on Wednesday night.

In the 93-member provincial assembly, Karki has garnered the support of 52 MPs, comprising 39 from UML (excluding the Deputy Speaker) and 13 from the Maoist Center.

The political landscape in the province has been shifting since the power dynamics changed at the center.

A total of 52 members of UML and Maoists withdrew their support from the Chief Minister Kedar Karki.

With no resolution regarding a vote of confidence registered within 30 days of the withdrawal, as per constitutional provision, the Koshi Provincial Assembly Secretariat issued a call for action.

Prior to Karki’s claim submission, leaders from UML and Maoist Center parliamentary parties had urged the provincial chief to initiate the government formation process.

Provincial Chief Khapung sought legal counsel from the Attorney General of the Federal Government, Dr. Dinmani Pokharel, leading to the decision to invite members capable of securing support from two or more parties to submit their claims.