UML-led alliance stakes claim to lead Koshi govt

ITAHARI: A coalition of CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) and some fringe parties has submitted an application at the Office of the Province Chief demanding the formation of a new government in Koshi Province.

In the petition submitted to Province Chief Parshuram Khapung on Wednesday, the coalition has argued that Chief Minister Kedar Karki’s government has fallen into a minority with the Maoist Center’s decision to withdraw its support to the government. The two parties have requested the Province Chief to appoint Hikmat Kumar Karki of CPN-UML as the next chief minister of the province.

“As per the Constitution of Nepal, since Chief Minister Kedar Karki has lost the confidence of the majority members, we, the majority members of the Koshi Province Assembly, request the Province Chief to initiate the necessary process to appoint Hikmat Kumar Karki, the parliamentary party leader of CPN-UML, as the Chief Minister to lead an alternative government in Koshi Province,” states the letter submitted to the Province Chief.

Karki has been refusing to step down despite losing the majority stating that since he was appointed as Chief Minsiter through the last option prescribing the constitution, the province would head to mid-term polls if he tenders his resignation.

Maoist Center earlier on Monday withdrew its support extended to Chief Minsiter Karki. Maoist Center’s ministers in Karki’s cabinet has already tendered their resignation.