Koshi Province Head Parshuram Khapung has initiated the process to form a new government in the province as demanded by the CPN-UML and Maoist Centre.

The province head in a notice on Wednesday evening asked lawmakers from the provincial assembly who can secure a majority in the assembly to present their claim for the chief ministerial position by 5 pm Friday.

The province head made the announcement hours after lawmakers from the UML and the Maoist Centre requested him to initiate the process to form a new government.

They met Khapung and handed him a letter urging him to make a call for a new government formation. They have argued that Chief Minister Kedar Karki has lost his legitimacy as he didn’t undergo a floor test as per the constitutional provision.

On April 8, both the UML and the Maoist Centre officially announced the withdrawal of their support to the Karki government.

Subsequently, on April 19, the special session of the provincial assembly passed a resolution instructing the chief minister to seek a vote of confidence within 30 days of losing the majority or resign from the post. The deadline expired on Tuesday.

Article 188 (2) of the constitution also suggests the chief minister needs to take a vote of confidence within 30 days if the coalition partners withdraw their support.

However, Chief Minister Karki remains steadfast in his refusal to either seek a floor test or resign, thereby complicating the provincial government’s position.