This combo photo shows (from left) Hikmat Kumar Karki, KP Sharma Oli and Til Kumar Meyangbo.
ITAHARI: CPN-UML will lead the coalition government of UML and Nepali Communist Party (NCP) in Koshi Province as per the understanding reached between the two parties in Kathmandu on Saturday.
UML sources say although party chair KP Sharma Oli is in favor of changing the party’s chief minister, internal disagreements within the party and constitutional hurdles are making an immediate transition unlikely.
UML’s Hikmat Kumar Karki has been leading the province’s government since May 9, 2024.
UML sources say Oli wants the party’s Central Committee Member Til Kumar Menyangbo as the next chief minister. However, Karki has taken a firm stance that he will not step down without a formal party decision.
Leaders close to Karki say there is no question of tendering resignation based on informal directives. “The chief minister will not quit unless there is an official decision from the party secretariat,” they say.
Leadership change in the province is also difficult because of constitutional provisions. Karki was appointed under Article 168 (5) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2025. To replace him, the chief minister candidate should stake his claim with the Province Chief with the written support of a majority of provincial assembly members. Therefore, even if the Nepali Congress (NC) withdraws its support, a new government cannot be formed automatically unless an alternative majority is secured.
UML Koshi Province Chairperson Ghanshyam Khatiwada says no formal decision on changing the chief minister has been taken yet. He, however, added that discussions were ongoing within the party. Meanwhile, differing views between Oli and General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel on the leadership issue have also surfaced. This has further complicated the process, party leaders say.
Menyangbo, a provincial assembly member from Taplejung 1(A), previously served as Minister for Water Supply, Irrigation and Energy. He has also handled the health portfolio. A former member of the House of Representatives, he is regarded within UML as a balanced and loyal leader.
However, leadership change in Koshi appears to depend less on political will and more on constitutional procedure and intra-party consensus.
Koshi Province has witnessed repeated government changes since the province governments were formed after the 2017 elections. No chief minister has completed a full five-year term in the province. Governments have changed frequently due to shifting alliances, party splits and court interventions
The province’s first Chief Minister, Sherdhan Rai of UML, was appointed in February 2018 but resigned following party splits. Bhim Prasad Acharya succeeded him in September 2021, but his government collapsed within two months.
Rajendra Kumar Rai of the CPN (Unified Socialist) later led a coalition government. However, instability deepened after the 2022 provincial elections, as no party secured a clear majority.
Hikmat Karki became chief minister multiple times, while NC leader Uddhav Thapa was appointed twice. However, his appointments were overturned by the Supreme Court both times. Kedar Karki later assumed office under Article 168 (5) but failed to get a vote of confidence after changes in federal power dynamics.
Hikmat Karki then returned as chief minister for a third time in May 2024.
UML is the largest party in the 93-member provincial assembly with 40 members (including the deputy speaker). Similarly, NC has 29, NCP has 17, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has six (including the speaker) and one from JSP.
A majority of 47 is needed to form a government in the province.
Nearly half of the lawmakers have already served as ministers within three years. The province is now set to witness its 10th government.
