The dispute over the government formation process in Koshi Province is going to be resolved by the full bench of the Supreme Court.

The joint bench of Supreme Court Justices Sushma Lata Mathema and Til Prasad Shrestha, hearing on the petition filed by former chief minister Hikmat Karki making Koshi Province Head Parshuram Khapung a defendant, issued the order on Monday stating that the case will now be decided by the full bench of the apex court.

“Looking at the content of the petition, it appears that it includes a complex legal question and as per rule 23 (2) (c) of the Supreme Court Rules 2017 it is suitable that the issue be resolved by the full bench,” reads the order.

The full bench will hear the case from Tuesday itself. However, it has not been decided who will be on the bench.

The main opposition CPN-UML on July 7 had moved the court after Province Head Khapung, on July 6, appointed Congress parliamentary party leader Uddhav Thapa the new chief minister, based on claims of the majority that included the support of the provincial Speaker as well.

The opposition parties have strongly objected to the inclusion of the Speaker in the government formation process saying that the head of the assembly can’t take sides and support a political party to form government. They have accused Khapung and Baburam Gautam, speaker of the assembly, of siding with the ruling alliance.

On July 12, the Supreme Court had directed the Nepali Congress-led Koshi provincial government to refrain from taking any decision with long-term consequences.