The Supreme Court on Friday refused to issue an interim order as sought by the plaintiff in a writ petition filed at the court challenging the appointment of Hikmat Karki as Koshi chief minister.

Hearing a petition filed by the immediate past chief minister Kedar Karki of Nepali Congress, a single bench of Justice Hari Phuyal asked the defendants including the Office of Province Head to furnish reasons within 10 days as to why the appointment was made and why not to issue an order as sought by the plaintiff.

“There is no necessity for an interim order; it is more suitable to resolve the dispute through a final hearing as it requires constitutional interpretation,” the bench said in the order.

The bench scheduled the writ petition for a final hearing on May 22.

The former chief minister moved the apex court on Thursday, terming the appointment of Hikmat Karki as unconstitutional. He has asked the court to issue mandamus, certiorari, quo warranto orders to reinstate him as the chief minister.

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. The support of 47 lawmakers is required for a majority to form the government in the 93-strong assembly.

It is Hikmat Karki’s third stint as a chief minister and the sixth government in Koshi in 17 months after the 2022 November elections. He was elected to the provincial assembly from Jhapa Constituency-5 (A).