Why UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli Has Not Removed Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Karki
Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Bahadur Karki has rejected party leaders’ calls for his resignation. Sherdhan Rai, secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML), who met Karki carrying a message from UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, confirmed this.
On July 24, UML Chairman Oli and Nepal Communist Party coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ agreed to mutually support each other in leading five out of seven provincial governments. As per this agreement, Koshi Province was allocated to UML. Rai, former chief minister of Koshi province and the party’s in-charge for the region, stated that he came to Koshi carrying a directive aimed at implementing this consensus.
“Given that the central chairman has already provided clear instructions, we are discussing the implementation of the three-point agreement and the chairman’s directives,” Rai said. However, Chief Minister Karki, who is also a UML secretary, asserted that the party has not instructed him to resign, even though some leaders have suggested it. “The province in-charge [Rai], a peer at the secretary level, approached me about resignation. I told him, ‘Your words do not represent the party’s decision. Resignation will only be valid once the chairman officially writes it,’” Karki said. Currently, Karki has responded to Rai saying there is no necessity for him to resign.
Rai confirmed that during discussions in Koshi Province, he talked with Karki about whether to continue the current chief minister or to provide opportunities to new leaders. “We are currently considering whether to extend his tenure or give a chance to new colleagues,” Rai said. “The current chief minister has served for a long time. Therefore, we are debating whether to offer opportunities to newer individuals. There are also experienced leaders who could be considered. Working towards such an option might be best.” Some party leaders argue that since Karki has been chief minister for two years, others should get a turn. However, Karki warns this could lead to instability.
Karki noted that with roughly one year left in the provincial assembly’s tenure, the government is unlikely to change. He has requested an institutional decision from the party regarding his resignation. “If this is handled through formal institutional procedures, I would have no objections,” Karki said on Tuesday before traveling to Kathmandu for discussions with the party chairman. Despite internal pressure within UML, the chairman has not convened any meeting regarding a change in the provincial government, according to party leaders. Ghanshyam Khatiwada, chairperson of the Koshi Province UML committee, stated that the chairman has summoned the chief minister to Kathmandu for discussions. Following these talks, former chief minister Rai expressed confidence that the government will move forward based on their conclusions.