UML Supports Shekhar Camp’s CM Claim, Koshi’s Battle Intensifies

In a bold move, nine lawmakers from the Nepali Congress (NC), aligned with the Shekhar Koirala camp in Koshi Province, have announced their rejection of the ruling coalition’s decision to support Indra Angbo of the CPN (Maoist Center) as the next chief minister of the province. This decision has sparked political tensions and uncertainty in the region.

Lawmaker Kedar Karki, representing the Shekhar Camp, delivered a strong message by submitting signatures from eight Congress members and 39 UML province assembly members to Province Chief Parshuram Khapung’s office. UML Chief Whip Rewati Raman Bhandari and several other MPs joined the cause by showing their support for the Shekhar Camp.

The CPN (Maoist Centre) provincial assembly leader, Indra Bahadur Angbo, also staked his claim for the chief ministerial post in Koshi Province with the backing of the ruling coalition party members. However, the decision to support Angbo by the coalition has not been well-received by the Shekhar Koirala camp within the NC.

Earlier on Thursday, a meeting of leaders of the ruling coalition held at the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar decided to support Angbo for chief minister.

Expressing their discontent with the coalition’s decision, Karki from the Shekhar Camp made an audacious move by staking a claim for the chief minister’s position, disregarding the coalition’s support for Angbo. Notably, the UML party has thrown its support behind the Shekhar Camp in this matter.

It’s important to highlight that, according to Article 168 (5) of the constitution, lawmakers cannot be issued a whip if a government is formed. This legal provision adds an intriguing dimension to the unfolding political drama.

The primary demand of the nine lawmakers from the Shekhar Koirala camp is that the Nepali Congress should have the opportunity to lead the new Koshi government with a leader from their camp assuming the role of chief minister.

Issuing a notice on Saturday, Khapung asked members of the Koshi provincial assembly who can garner a vote of confidence in the assembly to stake claim for the chief ministerial position by 5pm on Friday in accordance with article 168(5) of the constitution.

The move came following the resignation of Hikmat Kumar Karki ahead of voting on a trust motion scheduled at the provincial assembly.

Appointment of a chief minister in accordance with Article 168(5) and securing a trust vote within 30 days after the appointment becomes crucial because failure to do so will lead the province to mid-term polls. The assembly has already exercised all the options to appoint a chief minister since the election last year.

NC has 29 seats the provincial assembly, CPN (Maoist Center) has 13, CPN (Unified Socialist) has four and Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) has one seat. UML is the largest party in the 93-strong provincial assembly with 40 seats including the deputy speaker. RPP, which has remained neutral, has six seats.