KATHMANDU, May 25: Prime Minister Balendra Shah will not address the special ceremony being held at Tundikhel on May 29 to mark Republic Day, departing from the long-standing tradition in which the prime minister delivers the keynote speech.
According to a source at the Office of the President, the Prime Minister’s Office has sent a formal letter requesting President Ram Chandra Paudel to address the ceremony instead.
Ties of tradition
The letter reportedly cites Article 66(2) of the Constitution while recommending that the president deliver the address at the Republic Day function. However, sources said the constitutional provision does not explicitly require the president to do so.
The Cabinet has already formed the Republic Day Main Celebration Committee under the leadership of Prime Minister Balendra Shah. In previous years, the president attended the event while the prime minister addressed the gathering. This year, however, the prime minister has chosen to step aside and formally recommend the president as the speaker for the national ceremony.
