KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 14

After a series of chief ministerial controversies in Koshi, Kedar Karki of Nepali Congress has been appointed the fifth chief minister of Koshi Province with the support of 39 UML lawmakers and eight members from the Shekhar Koirala faction of Nepali Congress.

Karki is close to NC leader Shekhar Koirala who leads the opposition camp in the party.

He has been backed by the largest party in Koshi province, UML. He will be taking oath of office and secrecy on Sunday.

Yesterday, Karki and Indra Bahadur Angbo of CPN-MC had both staked their claims for the chief ministership of Koshi with the support of 47 lawmakers each, however, Karki was appointed the new CM by the Province head Prashuram Khapung today after verification of signatures.

After two leaders from different parties submitted claims to the Provincial head of Koshi, the Office of the Provincial head decided to identify members of the Province Assembly to settle the dispute.

A statement issued by the office of the provincial head last evening asked all to be present for verification of the PA members.

Angbo had claimed the support of 29 Congress lawmakers, 13 from Maoist Centre, four from CPN (US) and one from JSP-N. However, he failed to show up and verify the signatures today at Khapung's office and Karki was appointed the chief minister of Koshi.

According to the decision of the provincial head, the signatures of the members of Koshi Assembly were verified today.

As Angbo could not to appear, Karki was appointed the CM with the support of eight lawmakers of NC and 39 from CPN-UML.

Karki has been appointed according to article 165 (5) of the constitution of Nepal. Article 168 (5) stipulates: In cases where the chief minister appointed pursuant to clause (3) fails to secure a vote of confidence under clause (4) and any member referred to in clause (2) presents a ground on which he or she is able to secure a vote of confidence in the Provincial Assembly, the Chief of Province shall appoint such member as the chief minister.

Appointment of a chief minister in accordance with Article 168(5) and securing a trust vote within 30 days after the appointment is vital because inability to garner confidence will lead the province to mid-term elections.

While some are estimating that the Koshi equation will also affect the power equation in Kathmandu, the top leaders of the ruling coalition Congress and Maoists have declared that they are committed to the alliance.

'We are firm and clear about the current power alliance. We will not allow this alliance to weaken under any circumstances,' reads a statement signed by Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, NC leader Shekhar Koirala and PM Dahal.

Earlier, the ruling alliance meeting of Thursday had decided to support CPN-MC candidate Angbo as chief minister of Koshi. However, conflict erupted within Congress and the Shekhar Koirala faction revolted against the alliance's decision and backed Kedar Karki with the support of UML Lawmakers.

It is said that a few leaders, including Nepali Congress chairperson Sher Bahadur Deuba, are putting pressure on MPs who favoured Kedar Karki. On the other hand, the Koirala faction's leaders are determined to stick to their decision.

Hikmat Karki, the leader of the UML parliamentary party, who was earlier appointed chief minister as leader of the party with the largest number of MPs in the Province Assembly after the Supreme Court decision, resigned last Saturday.

He took the decision after it was confirmed that he would fail to clear the floor test. It is also speculated that if he failed, Koshi could be pushed into midterm polls.

Amid the rift inside the NC, Uddhav Thapa, Congress provincial assembly leader has resigned from his post. Thapa has stated that he quit on moral grounds. He became CM twice but failed to garner the trust both times.

A version of this article appears in the print on October 15, 2023, of The Himalayan Times