Koshi CM Karki set to take trust vote today

Biratnagar, September 18 — The Chief Minister of Koshi Province, Hikmat Kumar Karki, is set to seek a vote of confidence today. Karki, who became Chief Minister with the support of the CPN (Maoist Centre), is required to take a second vote of confidence following the party's withdrawal of support.

The Maoist Centre had retracted its support on August 30. Karki was appointed as Chief Minister under Article 168(5) of the Constitution. With this shift in political dynamics, the Nepali Congress has joined the government now led by the CPN-UML in Koshi Province.

In the 93-member Koshi Provincial Assembly, Karki’s party, the CPN-UML, holds 40 seats, while the Nepali Congress has 29 seats. The assembly also includes 13 members from the Maoist Centre, 6 from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, 4 from the CPN (Unified Socialist), and 1 from the Janata Samajwadi Party.

A total of 47 votes are needed for a majority, and the combined number of MPs from UML and Congress is sufficient for this. Karki, who was appointed on May 10, previously secured a vote of confidence on May 14.