Deuba, locals say, has support of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai while Panta has the backing of party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.[break]
According to sources, District Education Officer Rakesh Shrivastav appointed Deuba as the headmaster on December 23. Stating that the appointment was made without consulting it, the school management committee, which is close to Dahal, has not allowed Deuba to assume the role.
The committee has forwarded the name of Ganesh Panta for the position instead. Just in three weeks, Panta was also provided with the appointment letter.
Earlier, Khadak Mani, a temporary teacher, was working as the acting headmaster of the school.
Defending the accusations that the DEO appointed the two persons under political pressure, Shrivastav said that there was no political influence at all.
“The appointment was made on the basis of seniority,” he said. “Since Panta did not show interest in assuming the role earlier, Deuba was appointed as the headmaster. But as Panta, who is senior than Deuba showed interest later, I had to give him the chance,” he added.
Panta is said to have received the appointment based on the instruction of Education Minister Dinanath Sharma while Deuba was recommended by State Minister for Education Lila Bhandari.
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