Koshi Province Head Parshuram Khapung has called upon provincial members to stake their claim for the post of chief minister and form a government in the province.

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 October 13 in accordance with the article 168(5) of the constitution.

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

Speaking at the provincial assembly meeting, the chief minister said he resigned with a view to create an environment conducive for forging a consensus among the political parties in the assembly.

The provincial assembly was scheduled to vote on the trust motion of the chief minister today. UML provincial assembly leader Karki, who was appointed chief minister as per Article 168 (3) of the constitution on September 8 following a Supreme Court’s order had to secure a vote of confidence within Saturday as per the constitutional provision.