Koshi Province Government Leadership in Limbo

A debate has begun over the leadership of the Koshi Province government following an agreement between the CPN-UML and the CPN to share power in the province.

According to the agreement, the CPN-UML will lead the government in Koshi Province. However, there is a dispute over who will be the leader. CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has removed current Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki and instead chosen Tilakumar Menyangbo to lead the province.

Menyangbo has confirmed that he has been approached by Chairman Oli and has had discussions with him. ‘I have had a discussion with the chairman, and I have received a positive response. A decision will be made within the next 1-2 days,’ Menyangbo said.

Current Chief Minister Refuses to Step Down

Meanwhile, current Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki has refused to step down, stating that the agreement between the two parties is to share power, and he will continue to lead the province. ‘The CPN and we have agreed to work together, and I will continue to lead Koshi Province,’ Karki said.

Karki added that any changes to the leadership would require a party meeting. ‘If there are any changes to be made, a party meeting will be held, and a decision will be made accordingly,’ he said.

Karki had been in Kathmandu for several days and returned to Biratnagar on Saturday evening. During his stay in Kathmandu, he had met with Chairman Oli, but the details of their meeting have not been disclosed. Karki stated that they had discussed general issues.