KATHMANDU: Chief Minister Hikmat Karki of Koshi Province has successfully obtained a vote of confidence, garnering 57 votes in his favor during the provincial assembly session.

Support for CM Karki came from various political factions, with 40 lawmakers from CPN-UML, 13 from CPN (Maoist Center), three from CPN (Unified Socialist), and one from Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) backing his leadership.

However, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) chose to remain neutral during the confidence vote, while 29 lawmakers affiliated with the Nepali Congress opted to boycott the provincial assembly meeting.

In accordance with Article 168 (5) of the Constitution of Nepal, Karki assumed the position of Chief Minister of Koshi Province on May 9. Simultaneously, the outgoing CM Kedar Karki has filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of appointing a new CM in the province.