SC refuses to issue interim order in petition against Sudurpaschim province govt

KATHMANDU, April 23: The Supreme Court (SC) refused to issue an interim order in the writ petition filed against the government of Sudurpaschim province and instead has scheduled a final hearing on May 5 prioritizing the petition.

A single bench of Justice Bal Krishna Dhakal refused to grant an interim order while hearing a writ petition filed by Laxman Kishor Chaudhary of the Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP).

In the same way, SC has also ordered the opposition side to submit a written response along with a copy of the document regarding the appointment of Dirgha Sodari of the CPN (Unified Socialists) as the Chief Minister. 

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A case was filed in the SC regarding the formation of the Sudurpaschim Province government. Laxman Kishor Chaudhary, representing the Resham Chaudhary faction of the NUP, appeared before the SC on April 21 to initiate legal proceedings.

Chaudhary lodged a case against both the Sudurpaschim government and the province chief.

After the resignation of former Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah in Sudurpaschim Province, Province Chief Nazir Mia called for submission of claims for the next Chief Minister.

NUP Chairperson Ranjita Shrestha nominated Kailash Chaudhary from the party for the post of CM. While the petitioner Chaudhary has garnered support from Nepali Congress, CPN (Unified Socialist), RPP, Kailash Chaudhary received backing from the ruling coalition CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center).

However, Province Chief Mia put on hold the claims of both individuals for three days stating the need for consultation to appoint one of the two individuals from the same party for the post of CM. After the CPN (Unified Socialist) submitted a letter withdrawing its support to Laxman Chaudhary, Province Chief Mia dismissed both claims stating lack of due legal process.

The province chief then extended the deadline for appointing the new chief minister by two more days. CPN (Unified Socialist) leader Dirgha  Sodari was appointed as the chief minister after his nomination. Provincial lawmaker Chaudhary expressed dissatisfaction with this process and filed a writ petition in the SC.