KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court (SC) has nullified the vote of confidence taken by Gandaki Province Chief Minister Khagaraj Adhikari, leading to the fall of the Gandaki government.

SC issued the order on Monday in response to a writ petition filed by former Chief Minister and Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader Surendra Raj Pandey.

The bench of Justices Kumar Regmi and Sunil Pokharel issued the order, nullifying the vote of confidence secured by Chief Minister Adhikari.

SC ruled that the 30 votes received in the 60-member Provincial Assembly did not constitute a majority.

The verdict has made room for the largest party in the provincial assembly to claim the post as per Article 168 (3) of the Constitution.