KATHMANDU: In a surprising turn of events, Dhan Bahadur KC, a lawmaker listed as a fugitive by the Nepal Police, appeared in the Lumbini provincial assembly on Tuesday and cast his vote for Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya.
KC has been charged with criminal offenses, including forging government documents.
A court had previously sentenced him to one year in jail and a fine of Rs 2,000.
The case was filed by KC’s wife, accusing him of forging documents for a divorce.
Despite the court’s verdict, the sentence has not yet been enforced.
On Tuesday, KC, who should have been ineligible to run for office due to his criminal conviction, not only attended the assembly meeting but also voted without facing any obstruction.
Instead of arresting him, he was provided security, with police officers merely observing the proceedings.
KC was elected as a member of the Lumbini provincial assembly from East Rukum (Kha) representing the Nepali Congress.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya secured a vote of confidence during the assembly meeting. A total of 70 lawmakers voted in favor of CM Acharya’s trust motion, while 11 voted against it.
Acharya was appointed Chief Minister following the formation of a new government at the central level, after an alliance was forged between the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress.
CM Acharya received support from lawmakers of the UML, Nepali Congress, Nagarik Unmukti Party, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, Janamat Party, JSP Nepal, and one independent lawmaker.
Comment