KATHMANDU: Laxman Chaudhary of the Nagarik Unmukti Party has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court against the appointment of Sudurpashchim’s Chief Minister.

Laxman has demanded the dismissal of CPN-Unified Socialist Party’s Sudurpashchim parliamentary party leader Dirgha Sodari from the post of Chief Minister, arguing that the latter lacks majority support.

Nagarik Unmukti’s Resham Chaudhary faction leader, Laxman, claimed majority support from lawmakers and demanded to be appointed as chief minister.

After the resignation of the former Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah, the province chief had urged the parties to submit their claim for the post of Chief Minister by May 2.

Two factions from the Nagarik Unmukti party, one backed by Resham Chaudhary and another backed by party chair Ranjita Shrestha, submitted their claim of majority within the stipulated time.

In their claim, Resham’s group leader Laxman said that he had the support of the majority of lawmakers, including those from Nepali Congress, Unified Socialist, and Nagarik Unmukti Party itself, whereas Ranjita backed Kailash Chaudhary claimed the support of CPN-Maoist Center, CPN-UML, and Nagarik Unmukti Party.

However, Unified Socialist leader Dirgha Sodari clarified that his party had withdrawn support given to Laxman and claimed to have the majority with him.

The Province Chief, after consultation with legal experts, extended the deadline for claim submission by two days.

Later, Sodari was nominated to the post of Chief Minister on April 18.

This writ is scheduled to be heard on Monday.