KATHMANDU: Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki has told CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli that he will not step down unless the party makes a formal decision through its official channels.
Karki conveyed his position during a meeting at Oli’s residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, on Wednesday. The meeting was also attended by UML Koshi Province In-charge Sherdhan Rai, Provincial Chair Ghanshyam Khatiwada and Provincial Secretary Raj Kumar Bhandari.
The meeting was called as Oli and Rai have been urging Karki to resign to pave the way for a change in the province’s leadership. However, Karki reiterated that he would not step down based solely on informal discussions.
“I presented my position and left. If the party Secretariat makes an official decision, I will consider it,” Karki told Oli, according to sources familiar with the discussion.
He also argued that the Koshi provincial government was formed under Article 168(5) of the Constitution and said the current constitutional framework does not allow for an immediate alternative arrangement.
During the meeting, Oli reportedly urged Karki to make way for another leader, saying the party wanted to give others an opportunity to serve as chief minister.
“You have already been given the opportunity several times. Now it is time to allow someone else to serve as chief minister for the next seven or eight months,” Oli reportedly told Karki, asking him to facilitate the leadership transition.
After Karki left the meeting, Oli continued discussions with Sherdhan Rai and other provincial leaders. Party leaders remained at Oli’s Gundu residence into the evening as consultations continued.
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