Koshi Province Sees Frequent Government Changes Since Federalism

Biratnagar. Since the implementation of federalism in Nepal and the formation of provincial governments, Koshi Province (formerly Province 1) has been the biggest center of political instability. With discussions of forming a new government ongoing again recently, the Koshi Province has seen the formation of 9 governments since its establishment. 

In the first term of the Provincial Assembly, 3 governments were formed, and in the second term, 6 governments were formed, totaling 9 governments in the Koshi Province over a period of 9 years. During this period, 6 different leaders have had the opportunity to sit on the Chief Minister's chair. 

On February 15, 2018 (2074 फागुन 2), Sherdhan Rai of CPN-UML took office as the first Chief Minister of the province. He is currently the leader who has served the longest as Chief Minister in Koshi Province. His tenure lasted for approximately three and a half years (until September 10, 2021). 

Following the impact of the then CPN split reaching the provincial level, Sherdhan Rai resigned, and Bhim Prasad Acharya of CPN-UML took over the responsibility of Chief Minister on September 11, 2021. However, after the CPN split, his tenure lasted only two months (until November 1, 2021). After that, Rajendra Kumar Rai of CPN (Unified Socialist) became the Chief Minister on behalf of the coalition on November 2, 2021. He remained in power until the end of the first provincial assembly term and before the new elections (until January 8, 2023). 

After the second provincial assembly elections (2079 BS), a game of power has been going on in Koshi Province. With no party having a clear majority, the year 2080 BS became the most unstable year in Koshi's parliamentary history. Within the year 2080 BS alone, 5 Chief Ministers were changed in Koshi. 

The government of Hikmat Kumar Karki of CPN-UML, who became Chief Minister for the first time on January 9, 2023 (2079 Poush 25), fell after six months on July 6, 2023 (2080 Asar 21). After that, Uddhav Thapa of Congress was appointed Chief Minister on July 7, 2023 (2080 Asar 22). However, his government was dismissed by the Supreme Court's order within 24 days (August 1, 2023) for using the Speaker's signature. 

Immediately after, on August 2, 2023 (2080 Shrawan 17), Thapa was re-appointed Chief Minister for the second time, but the Supreme Court again dismissed his government for allowing the Speaker to vote. His second term also lasted only until September 6, 2023. 

After Uddhav Thapa's government fell, Hikmat Kumar Karki, the leader of the CPN-UML parliamentary party, became Chief Minister for the second time on September 7, 2023 (2080 Bhadra 22) by the Supreme Court's mandate. However, he remained in power for only one month (until October 12, 2023) as he was about to lose a vote of confidence. 

After that, Kedar Karki, rebelling within Congress, became Chief Minister on October 14, 2023 (2080 Asauj 28) under Article 168 (5) of the Constitution. Although Kedar Karki ran the government for about 7 months, the change in the Congress-Maoist alliance at the center affected Koshi. After losing the vote of confidence in the Provincial Assembly, Kedar Karki was removed from office on May 8, 2024 (2081 Baishakh 26). 

Immediately after that, from May 9, 2024 (2081 Baishakh 27), Hikmat Kumar Karki has been appointed as the Chief Minister of Koshi Province for the third time and is currently in office. Looking at the statistics overall, Hikmat Kumar Karki of CPN-UML has taken the oath of Chief Minister a maximum of 3 times and Uddhav Thapa of Congress twice in a single provincial assembly term. Sherdhan Rai, Bhim Prasad Acharya, Rajendra Kumar Rai, and Kedar Karki have each led the province once. 

Now, with the equation between Congress and CPN-UML in the center facing a crisis again, the possibility of forming the 10th new government in Koshi Province has increased.