KATHMANDU: The political landscape in Nepal was marked by several significant events and decisions last week.
The Nepali Congress, despite internal dissent, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the ruling alliance during the Mahasamiti meeting that concluded on Thursday, last week.
This commitment indicates a crucial decision for maintaining stability within the government.
Meanwhile, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) issued a notice urging residents and institutions to vacate the Lalita Niwas area within a week.
The KMC asserted government ownership of the area, as ruled by the Special Court, and warned of potential consequences if not cleared within the specified timeframe.
Likewise, a positive development involved Nepali citizens gaining access to Indian SIM cards following approval from the Indian government.
In legal matters, the committee formed to probe the Balkumari incident submitted its report last week, pledging to implement findings related to the deaths of two youths during a protest.
This move is expected to facilitate communication for Nepali nationals in India, eliminating previous restrictions that required them to use SIM cards registered under Indian citizens.
On the other hand, last week, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) staged a demonstration in Kathmandu, advocating for a Hindu state and the reinstatement of a constitutional monarchy.
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) launched a movement with a set of 40 demands, including the restoration of monarchy and a Hindu state, anti-corruption measures, and a commitment to nationalism, development, service delivery, and the welfare of the people.
This movement was inaugurated with the submission of a memorandum to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda.
Similarly, the Supreme Court directed the government to refrain from causing road disruptions for VVIP traffic, addressing a long-pending writ petition.
This decision underscored the importance of upholding the rule of law and equal treatment for all citizens.
Furthermore, in the gold smuggling case, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) sent Krishna Bahadur Mahara’s mobile phone to the Digital Forensic Lab.
This move follows Mahara’s connection with a Chinese citizen involved in gold smuggling, raising concerns about the extent of such activities.
Likewise, Kathmandu’s alarming ranking as the fourth most polluted city globally highlighted urgent measures needed to address air quality issues.
In another political development, the CPN-UML demanded the resignation of three ministers — Prakash Jwala, Mohan Basnet and Sudan Kirati — over alleged improprieties during a House of Representatives meeting, intensifying its stance.
Another development last week was the government’s call for a special three-day celebration of the 74th National Democracy Day emphasizing the historical significance of the day when democracy was established in Nepal.
Likewise, the appointment of Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’ as the coordinator of the Socialist Front indicated potential shifts in left-leaning political alliances.
The decision to rotate leadership positions among member parties reflects a commitment to inclusivity within the coalition.
In legal matters, the committee formed to probe the Balkumari incident submitted its report last week, pledging to implement findings related to the deaths of two youths during a protest.
In another development last week, cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane was granted permission by the Patan High Court to face a rape case without custody, challenging the decision of the Kathmandu District Court.
In academia, Professor Dr. Kesharjung Baral was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Tribhuvan University, showcasing a significant leadership change.
Similarly, Bharatpur Metropolis was recognized as the best-performing metropolis in Nepal, scoring the highest among all metropolises in the latest evaluation.
In another political development, the CPN-UML demanded the resignation of three ministers — Prakash Jwala, Mohan Basnet and Sudan Kirati — over alleged improprieties during a House of Representatives meeting, intensifying its stance.
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