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

Issuing a notice on Friday, Khapung asked the political parties to stake their claim on the chief ministerial position by 5pm on August 1 in accordance with the article 168(2) of the constitution.

The move came following Thursday’s Supreme Court verdict that invalidated the appointment of incumbent chief minister Uddhav Thapa and ordered the concerned authorities to form a new government within seven days.

The top court was responding to a writ petition filed by the main opposition CPN-UML against the process of the formation of the government in the province, terming it unconstitutional.

Thapa was appointed chief minister on July 6 and a day after that the UML moved the court. And with Thursday’s court verdict Thapa lost his position within three weeks of his appointment.

On July 7, the UML challenged the ruling alliance’s move to show the majority to form the government by including the signature of the provincial assembly Speaker Gautam.

With the order, the new government will be formed as per Article 168(2) of the constitution. As per the article, two or more parties should show their majority in the assembly to stake their claim to form the government.