POKHARA: The CPN-Maoist Center has issued a 24-hour clarification notice to Gandaki Province Assembly member Phanindra Devkota for ‘floor crossing’ and supporting Chief Minister Surendra Pandey in a confidence vote.
Kusum Budha, Chief Whip of the Maoist Center in Gandaki Province, stated that the notice was issued to Devkota for violating the party whip and acting against party regulations.
Devkota, a leader of the Dr. Baburam Bhattarai’s Nepal Socialist Party, was elected from Gorkha in the 2022 elections under the Maoist Center’s electoral symbol.
However, he did not adhere to the party whip when he voted to support Nepali Congress leader Pandey.
Following his vote, Devkota was immediately appointed as Gandaki’s Minister of Energy and Water Resources.
According to Chief Whip Budha, Devkota has been instructed to provide a written explanation by 7 pm on Wednesday.
“In consultation with the party center, we have asked Devkota for clarification, giving him deadline of 7 pm on Wednesday,” she said, adding, “The process for disciplinary action against Devkota has begun. We await his explanation by this evening, after which we will make further decisions.”
Although Devkota won the election under the Maoist Center’s symbol, the Election Commission’s list of candidates and winners mentions him as a representative of the Nepal Socialist Party.
Conversely, in the Gandaki Provincial Assembly members’ list, he is listed as a member of the Maoist Center.
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