KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the removal of Gandaki Chief Minister Khagaraj Adhikari and mandated the appointment of Surendra Raj Pandey, the leader of the largest party Nepali Congress, as the new Chief Minister.

The Supreme Court nullified the vote of confidence taken by Adhikari and declared his removal from office.

The division bench of Justices Sunil Kumar Pokharel and Kumar Regmi issued the order, invalidating Adhikari’s vote of confidence and directing the appointment of Nepali Congress Provincial Parliamentary Party leader Surendra Raj Pandey as Chief Minister in accordance with Article 168(3) of the Constitution.

UML leader Adhikari had secured a vote of confidence from the Province Assembly on May 5. Speaker Krishna Dhital declared that Adhikari had achieved a majority with 30 votes in the 60-member assembly, claiming his own vote counted as well.

In the 60-member Provincial Assembly, Adhikari’s vote of confidence received 30 votes in favor, 27 against, and 2 abstentions.