Nepal, May 10 -- Hikmat Karki of the CPN-UML has been appointed chief minister of Koshi Province on Thursday.

Province Head Parshuram Khapung appointed Hikmat Karki as per Article 168 (5) of the constitution after the UML leader staked his claim to the post with the support of 52 lawmakers earlier on Thursday. The support of 47 lawmakers is needed for a majority to form the government in the 93-strong assembly.

Newly elected Karki took oath of office and secrecy. He also formed a Council of Ministers by appointing UML leader Ram Bahadur Rana Magar and CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Ganesh Uprety as ministers without portfolio. The ministers duo were also sworn in.

The province head in a notice on Wednesday evening asked provincial lawmaker...