Constitutional hurdles to form new govt, Koshi Chief Minister tells Province Chief

KATHMANDU: Koshi Province Chief Minister Kedar Karki has submitted a letter to the Province Chief stating that it is not possible to form a new government in Koshi as per the Constitution of Nepal, 2015.

Karki met Province Chief Parshuram Khapung at the office of the Province Chief on Tuesday and submitted the letter.

The Chief Minister submitted the letter to the province chief two weeks after the Koshi Province Assembly adopted a resolution motion, asking him to take a vote of confidence within 30 days of withdrawal of support by his coalition partners or step down.

In the letter, Karki argued that such a proposition would be against the constitution. He has stated that a new chief minister cannot be chosen unless the position becomes vacant through constitutional means.

The letter, a copy of which has also been forwarded to the Office of the President, states that governments cannot be formed as per Article 168 (2) or (3) as an alternative to the government formed as per Article 168 (5).

Karki has also argued that no resolution motion can supersede Article 188 (4) of the Constitution of Nepal. Article 168 (4) states, “The Chief Minister appointed pursuant to Clause (2) or Clause (3) above must obtain a vote of confidence from the Provincial Assembly within thirty days of being appointed the Chief Minister.”

Karki has insisted that since he was appointed as per Article 168(5), he cannot be forced to undergo a floor test as per Article 168 (4).