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CPN-UML Parliamentary Party leader for Karnali Province Assembly, Yamlal Kandel, is to stake a claim for the chief ministerial post in the province.

Province Chief Tilak Pariyar on Thursday called on political parties to present their claims for forming a new government after Chief Minister Raj Kumar Sharma tendered his resignation on Wednesday.

He, in accordance with Article 168 (2) of the Constitution, called on any PA member capable of securing a majority with the support of two or more political parties to stake a claim for the post of chief minister.

According to UML Chief Whip for the Province, Tekraj Pachhain, leader Kandel has the support of the CPN (Maoist Center).  "We are preparing to present the claim today itself," he said 

The deadline for submitting the claim is 5:50 pm on April 9, 2024. 

Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, the Province Chief assigned the existing government to look after the day-to-day operation of the governance until the formation of a new government.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, has informed the Parliament about the achievements of his recent official visit to the People's Republic of China.

Speaking in a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR), the lower house of the Federal Parliament, today, he said important achievements have been made on expanding the area of mutual cooperation through enhanced coordination and collaboration between the two countries.

On the occasion, DPM Shrestha said the visit has contributed to further strengthening the mutual goodwill, respect, and trust between the two countries.

The minister viewed that the historic and friendly relations between the two countries have reached new heights through this visit.

Stating that the trade and transit points with China, namely Rasuwagadhi-Kerung, Tatopani-Jhangu, Yari-Puran and Nechung-Korala have already come into operation before this, he said the Chinese side has expressed its readiness to open 14 traditional trade transits closed after the COVID pandemic.

Minister Shrestha informed that discussions have been held with the Chinese side regarding constituting a joint commission at the foreign ministers' level of both countries in order to hold high-level consultations on the various dimensions of the existing Nepal-China friendly relations. He added that both sides are positive on this. 

According to him, discussions were held during the visit also on implementation of the BRI Implementation Plan giving it the final touch.

During the visit, Minister Shrestha extended an invitation to his counterpart Wang Yi to visit Nepal at his convenient time. "Both parties have agreed for an effective implementation of Nepal-China agreements and to regularize the meetings of existing mechanisms to expedite the pace of cooperation," the Minister said.  According to him, with his visit to the northern neighbor, the mutual relations and respect between Nepal and China have reached a new height.

"The discussions held during the visit were comprehensive and open, focusing on mutual assistance and cooperation," said the minister, expressing hope that the trip contributed to further strengthening the centuries-old, multi-dimensional, and friendly relations between Nepal and China.

He briefed the House that the Chinese side is positive for ensuring trans-border pastureland for the Nepali community residing on the Nepal-China border as per the agreement reached in 2012 and electrification at some Nepali villages there.

Similarly, the Chinese side responded positively to the call of Nepal to resume the Kathmandu-Lhasa direct bus service, facilitating the exports of buff, medicinal herbs, vegetables, and fruits from Nepal to China. During the discussions, Minister Shrestha urged China to establish multi-dimensional labs in certain areas along the Nepal-China border and provide capital and technological assistance to enhance Nepal's agricultural sector productivity.

Both parties have been positive about operating the flights from Kathmandu and Pokhara to various cities in China. Likewise, both parties have expressed interest in expanding transnational roadways, air flight services, and electricity transmission lines to Nepal-China connectivity. Both parties have agreed to come up with agriculture, tourism, hydropower, and infrastructure projects and implement them.

He said he urged the Chinese government and private sector investors for their enthusiastic participation in the Nepal Investment Summit scheduled to take place on April 28-29, for their support to make the Nepal Visit Year 2025, considering investing in Nepal's diverse sectors.

DPM Shrestha had been on a visit to China from March 24 to March 31, at the invitation of Communist Party of China (CPC)'s political bureau central committee member and China's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi.

An election for the post of National Assembly (NA) Vice-Chairperson is scheduled to take place on April 10.

NA Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal apprised the House today of the election schedule for the post of upper house Vice-Chairperson. The NA Vice-Chairperson’s post has been vacant since Urmila Aryal resigned on March 28.

The NA Chair has directed the Federal Parliament Secretary General Padam Prasad Pandey to publish the election schedule.

The NA shall meet again at 1:15 pm on April 10.

The main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) has continued to advocate for forming a parliamentary committee to probe into issues about cooperative mismanagement. 

Taking time in a meeting of the House of Representatives today, party General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma reiterated the party's voice for forming the parliamentary panel to investigate the alleged connection of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs in the cooperative fraud.

He utilized the forum to argue that the House is neither a venue for convicting anyone of any offense nor giving a clean chit on the charge. "Instead, the matter should be addressed through a due process."

Lawmaker Sharma also expressed concern over what he said the ruling party declaring the minister innocent from the House.

"The practice of declaring anyone guilty or innocent from a rostrum or a parliamentary floor is not good. If the Home Minister is not guilty, the right to be declared innocent by a parliamentary committee should be guaranteed." 

He presented three reasons clarifying the need to form a parliamentary body to address the matter. "It is due to the realization of a conflict of interest, suspension of an official investigation into the cooperatives, and the issue requiring to be addressed by the parliamentary procedures."

The NC lawmaker wanted the government to bring a proposal to form the committee in the next lower house session.

He warned that the party would take up the issue more seriously in the days ahead and it is committed to its stance (of forming a parliamentary probe committee).

The ultimatum to the government for proceeding ahead with the constitution of the committee has been over, he said, hinting about the party's preparations for further amplifying the programs of protests over the matter.

He said that there is a misunderstanding at the civic level that the parliamentary proceedings have been halted due to the NC obstruction.  On March 31, the Parliament held discussions on the agreement related to the International Solar Alliance (ISA). The following day, a proposal to seek considerations on the power trade bill was presented and on April 2, the House endorsed the BIMSETC Charter. He said he wanted to inform all Nepali citizens at home and abroad that the House continues its business.

Lawmaker Sharma said an atmosphere should be built for implementing a House calendar, making the House more systematic and accountable. Any matters that are at variance with the meeting agenda will be rejected by the party.

He also protested the presentations of issues in the rostrum sans an agreement in the Parliamentary Business Advisory and Consultative Committees. 

Speaker Devraj Ghimire said the Constitution incorporates the provisions allowing time for the Prime Minister or a Minister to put views in the Parliament if requested. It is our practice and tradition to grant time to the Prime Minister and Ministers to express views if demanded, he said.