The CPN-UML has demanded that the Uddhav Thapa-led government in Koshi Province should be scrapped and the process for the formation of a new government begun.

The party’s secretariat meeting held at Chyasal in Lalitpur on Saturday claimed that the Nepali Congress-led government was formed in an ‘unconstitutional’ manner. The party wants a fresh process for forming another provincial government.

Former chief minister Hikmat Karki, who is a standing committee member of the UML, moved the Supreme Court on July 7 after Thapa was appointed the new chief minister with the support of the Speaker of the provincial assembly.

The case related to the government formation is sub judice in the court even as it refused to issue an interim order to scrap the new administration. But the court directed the provincial government to refrain from taking any decision that can have long-term consequences. The ruling applies until the court issues its final verdict in the writ petition challenging the government formation last week.

On July 6, provincial head Parshuram Khapung appointed Congress parliamentary party leader Thapa as the new chief minister, based on claims of the majority that included the support of the Speaker as well.

After the preliminary hearing on the writ, a single bench of Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla directed the provincial head to produce before the court by July 19 the original copy of the decision on government formation and the list of the assembly members who signed in favour of Thapa as the chief minister.

The UML said the involvement of the Speaker in government formation was an attack on both democracy and the parliamentary system.

“It’s an attack on Nepal’s constitution, the universal practice of check and balance, and our democratic and parliamentary practices,” said the statement issued by the party after the meeting.

Expressing concern over the ruling parties’ alleged attempts to defame the UML, the Secretariat meeting also asked the government to introduce a new bill to punish loan sharks immediately.