Nepal, May 9 -- Hikmat Karki of the CPN-UML has been appointed as the chief minister of Koshi Province on Thursday.

Province Head Parshuram Khapung appointed Karki 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.

The province head in a notice on Wednesday evening asked lawmakers from the provincial assembly who can secure a majority in the assembly to present their claim for the chief ministerial position by 5pm Friday.

This will be Karki's third stint as a chief minister in 17 months.

On January 8, 2023, Province Head Khapung appointed Karki as the chief minister of the province...