KATHMANDU: Outgoing Chief Minister (CM) Kedar Karki of Koshi Province has lodged a writ petition at the Supreme Court (SC) challenging the appointment of a new CM on Thursday.

Hikmat Karki, the parliamentary party leader of CPN-UML, has been appointed as the Chief Minister of Koshi Province for the third time.

This appointment was made by Province Chief Parshuram Khapung on Thursday.

As per constitutional provisions 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.

Earlier, Kedar Karki had presented his claim for Chief Minister to Parshuram Khapung, backed by 52 MPs, including 39 from UML and 13 from the Maoist Center, and was subsequently appointed to the post.

In his writ petition, Kedar Karki has demanded the annulment of the Speaker’s decision to initiate the formation of a new government in the province, as well as the appointment of a new CM.

The hearing for this case is scheduled for Friday.