KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court (SC) has declined to issue an interim order in response to a writ petition challenging the appointment of Hikmat Karki as the new Chief Minister (CM) of Koshi Province.

The petition was filed by outgoing CM Kedar Karki.

A bench headed by Judge Hari Phyual refrained from issuing an interim order, citing the constitutional implications of the matter, which will be deliberated upon by the full court.

Previously, Kedar Karki, supported by 52 MPs, including 39 from UML and 13 from the Maoist Center, had submitted his claim for the Chief Minister position to Parshuram Khapung, the Province Chief, and was subsequently appointed to the post.

However, in his writ petition, Karki seeks 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.

Read the count’s order here: