RSP opposes Home Minister Aryal’s recommendation for National Assembly member

KATHMANDU, March 24: The appointment of Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal as National Assembly member remains uncertain.

Although the interim government led by Sushila Karki had recommended Aryal for the National Assembly on March 15, the President’s office held the approval citing various reasons, preventing further progress. While the 18 newly elected National Assembly members took the oath of office on March 9, one member nominated through the government’s recommendation has yet to be appointed.

Informed sources said Aryal’s recommendation is likely to be returned as the president has not approved Aryal’s appointment even ten days after the Karki government forwarded his name to Shital Niwas.

In 2018, the Deuba-led government had recommended three names, which President Bidya Devi Bhandari had also put on hold. Later, the Oli government withdrew those names and proposed new ones.

Following the March 5 House of Representatives elections, in which RSP secured nearly two-thirds of seats, the President’s office has decided to wait and act in line with the new mandate. RSP vice-chair Swarnim Wagle had urged the interim government not to make any major decisions, and Sheetal Niwas reportedly used this as the basis to hold Aryal’s recommendation.

Aryal’s recommendation had also drawn objections from RSP leaders. Sources at Sheetal Niwas say that party leaders met President Ram Chandra Paudel, arguing it was inappropriate for someone to enter parliament solely based on government recommendation when others made it the hard way by first stepping down as ministers and then winning election.

Following RSP’s objections, Sheetal Niwas decided to await the new government’s decision. President Paudel is expected to approve Aryal’s nomination only if recommended by the new cabinet, in which Aryal will not serve as Home Minister.

Meanwhile, a petition challenging Aryal’s recommendation has been filed in the Supreme Court by advocate Basu Khadka and others, making immediate action difficult. Sheetal Niwas officials said they will keep the recommendation on hold until a judicial verdict is delivered.

The Prime Minister’s Secretariat, however, has expressed disagreement with halting Aryal’s recommendation. It highlighted security concerns after Aryal’s exit from the government and claimed there was widespread interest in his nomination.

Prime Minister Karki had earlier suggested that President Paudel intended to send his own daughter for a nominated National Assembly seat.