KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
NC special convention nullifies central committee’s disciplinary decision
The Nepali Congress special convention has annulled the decision of the party’s Central Committee to take disciplinary action against its office-bearers. The closed session of the special convention at Bhrikutimandap on Wednesday overturned the decision to take action against General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, and Joint General Secretary Farmullah Mansoor, which would have stripped them of even their general party membership. Addressing the closed session after the disciplinary decision, General Secretary Thapa said the Nepali Congress is not anyone’s private office that can expel its members at will.
Both factions of Nepali Congress reach Election Commission
Both factions of the Nepali Congress, once again facing the risk of a split, had reached the Election Commission on Wednesday evening. The faction led by party president Sher Bahadur Deuba, and the special convention organizers led by General Secretaries Bishwa Prakash Sharma and Gagan Thapa, had separately approached the Commission. The Deuba faction submitted a letter informing the Commission of disciplinary action taken against General Secretaries Thapa and Sharma, as well as Joint General Secretary Farmullah Mansoor.
Gagan Thapa says 14th CWC dissolved, Special Convention proceeding officially
Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa has asserted that the party’s 14th Central Working Committee (CWC) has been dissolved by the Special General Convention and that the convention is officially proceeding. Addressing delegates at the Special Convention on Wednesday, Thapa said the decision to dissolve the previous CWC has already been communicated to the Election Commission. “Nepali Congress is not anyone’s private company. It is fine for the party to take disciplinary action, but shouldn’t they first seek a written or verbal explanation before punishing me?” he asked.
NC establishment faction expels Thapa, Sharma and Mansur for five years
The Nepali Congress establishment faction has expelled General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma, along with co-General Secretary Farmullah Mansoor, from the party for five years, barring them even from holding ordinary membership. The decision was taken during a Central Working Committee meeting of the establishment faction held in Sanepa. Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka announced the move on Wednesday afternoon. The disciplinary action follows a failed attempt by Special General Convention supporters to reach consensus with the establishment through an eight-point proposal. Among the proposals, it was suggested that Thapa would be the party’s prime ministerial candidate after the upcoming elections.
Sharma proposes Gagan Thapa as PM to avert NC leadership vote
Efforts are underway to find a point of consensus at the Nepali Congress Special General Convention, even after candidates have filed nominations for the new leadership. General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma is making a final attempt to bridge differences, meeting party President Sher Bahadur Deuba to seek agreement on an eight-point proposal, according to leaders involved in the talks. One leader from the Special Convention camp said Sharma has proposed that Gagan Thapa be made the party’s prime ministerial candidate after the next election.
Gagan Thapa sole candidate for NC president, Sharma and Paudel file for General Secretary
In the ongoing second Special General Convention of the Nepali Congress, current General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa is the only candidate to file nomination for the party president post. The nomination registration, held at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, began on Tuesday and concluded Wednesday morning, with Thapa remaining the sole contestant for the top post. For the position of General Secretary, leaders Bishwa Prakash Sharma and Pradeep Paudel have submitted their nominations. Sharma is the current General Secretary, while Paudel had lost the General Secretary race in the 14th General Convention.
NC talks stall as Deuba rejects middle-ground proposal
Nepali Congress General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma told party leaders that President Sher Bahadur Deuba is not open to a middle-ground solution, even on a moderate proposal, in recent talks. According to party sources, the briefing took place after the two general secretaries exited the meeting with Deuba. One leader quoting the general secretaries said, “Even on a moderate model, President Deuba was not positive. Friends, we have now left the talks. If he agrees to the conditions we set, we will call him back to the negotiation table.”
AG approves withdrawal of organized crime, money laundering charges against Rabi Lamichhane
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has granted permission to government prosecutors to withdraw the organized crime and money laundering cases pending against former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane in various district courts. Following this decision, the government prosecutors’ offices in Kaski, Rupandehi, Kathmandu, and Parsa will withdraw the organized crime and money laundering charges filed against Lamichhane.
RSP removes Tashi Lhazom’s name from PR closed list
It has been revealed that Tashi Lhazom’s name has been removed from the closed list of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). She had held the top position in the cluster of indigenous women. The Election Commission and RSP sources confirmed that Tashi’s name was removed a few days ago during a comprehensive revision of the party’s closed list. The party has not provided a clear explanation for her removal, though sources indicate it followed the emergence of controversial issues related to her.
Six arrested in Sindhuli SBI Bank robbery; over Rs 18 million recovered
Police have arrested six individuals in connection with the robbery at Nepal SBI Bank’s Bastiutar branch in Ghyanglekh Rural Municipality-2, Sindhuli, where over Rs 31 million was stolen on Tuesday night around 7:45 pm. According to police, the armed robbers restrained the bank’s security guard and staff before seizing the cash. The gang, reportedly at least six members strong, had brought a Tata Sumo from Banepa, Kavre, to execute the heist. During the robbery, security guard Rudra Bahadur Karki was injured after being attacked with a khukuri.
Sedhain taken into custody for sending SMSs to 5 million to push royalist protest
A man has been arrested for allegedly sending mobile SMS messages to over 5 million people urging them to participate in a royalist demonstration. The suspect, identified as Sedhain, was taken into custody by a team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office on Wednesday. According to police, Sedhain sent messages calling people to the streets to demand the restoration of the monarchy. One message read: “Save Nepal from geographical complexities and come to Baluatar on January 14 for cultural and constitutional monarchy.”
Gold, silver prices hit new records in Nepal
Gold and silver prices in Nepal continued to reach new highs on Wednesday, breaking the previous day’s records. The price of gold increased by Rs 1,500 per tola, with the Nepal Gold and Silver Traders’ Association setting the rate at Rs 278,000 per tola. The previous day’s price was Rs 276,500 per tola. Silver also saw a significant rise, increasing by Rs 315 per tola. The association fixed the silver rate at Rs 5,655 per tola on Wednesday, up from Rs 5,340 per tola the day before.
Sarlahi farmers rush to produce sugar ahead of Maghe Sankranti
As Maghe Sankranti approaches, sugarcane farmers in Sarlahi are working intensively to produce jaggery ahead of the festival season. Farmers are now selling sugarcane to local jaggery-producing industries, known as “crusher” units, instead of waiting for attractive government rates or selling to sugar mills. Currently, sugar mills offer up to Rs 675 per quintal for sugarcane, while local crusher units pay only Rs 600 per quintal. Farmers are willing to accept the Rs 75 per quintal loss mainly because of faster cash payments.
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