KATHMANDU: The Constitutional Council on Friday could not nominate the most senior Supreme Court Justice Sushila Karki for the post of new Chief Justice as leader of the main opposition in the Parliament, Sher Bahadur Deuba, did not show up.

It has been learned that the Nepali Congress President remained absent in the meeting citing the party's parliamentary party working committee election set for today.

Deuba is the ex-officio member of the Council in his capacity as the leader of the parliamentary opposition.

Earlier, the Council was undecided about the nomination as the main opposition was not represented in the meeting. The Nepali Congress parliamentary party had elected Deuba its leader just on Wednesday.

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Agni Prasad Kharel, who was present at the Council meeting called to nominate the Chief Justice, told media that the Council would hold its next meeting on Sunday to finalise the issue.

Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha is retiring next week.

As per the decades-long tradition, the Council is very likely to nominate Karki for the top judicial post on the basis of seniority. She will be the first female Chief Justice of the nation.