Interim order denied against Sudurpashchim govt formation

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has refused to issue an interim order in a writ petition registered against the formation of a new government in Sudurpashchim Province.

Laxman Kishor Chaudhary, a province assembly member of the Nagarik Unmukti Party, had registered the writ petition, claiming that the decision to appoint Dirgha Sodari of the CPN (Unified Socialist) as the chief minister of the Sudurpashchim Province Government was unconstitutional.

A single bench of Justice Bal Krishna Dhakal refused to issue an interim order in the case. The bench has ordered the defendants to furnish a written response to the court, enclosing the original decision to appoint Sodari as the chief minister, at the next hearing scheduled for May 5.

Laxman Kishore Chaudhary and Kailash Chaudhary from the Nagarik Unmukti Party had submitted separate claims to form the government in Sudurpashchim Province. Province Chief Nazir Miya had rejected both claims and given the parties two more days to form the government.

Responding to the Province Chief’s call, Sodari submitted his claim to form the government with the support of the CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Center), Nagarik Unmukti Party, and the Unified Socialist.

Province Chief Miya appointed Sodari to the position as per Article 168 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal. However, a faction of the Nagarik Unmukti Party had written to the Province Chief stating that the party would not support Sodari for the chief minister’s position.

The province assembly members of the Nagarik Unmukti Party are divided into two factions led by party Chairperson Ranjita Shrestha and Patron Reshamlal Chaudhary.