KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Congress President Thapa and Vice President Sharma meet former President Deuba in Maharajgunj
Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa, accompanied by Vice President Bishwa Prakash Sharma, visited former President Sher Bahadur Deuba at his private residence in Maharajgunj on Saturday to work on improving relations with the Deuba faction. Congress General Secretary Gururaj Ghimire confirmed the meeting between the top leaders and Deuba. The day before, the Election Commission officially recognized the new central working committee led by Thapa, elected through the special convention held in Kathmandu from January 11 to 15. This recognition updated the party’s official records, which previously reflected Deuba’s signature.
Nepali Congress stresses internal unity, pledges to tackle upcoming challenges together
The Nepali Congress has decided to maintain unity and mutual goodwill within the party and move forward collectively to face upcoming challenges, including elections. The decision was taken at a meeting of the party’s Central Working Committee held in Kathmandu on Saturday, which also resolved to appeal to party leaders and cadres across the country to remain united and work together to take the party to new heights. Party spokesperson Devaraj Chalise said the meeting concluded that challenges such as elections can only be addressed through internal harmony, cooperation, and unity. According to him, the Nepali Congress will now fully focus on election-oriented activities.
NCP announces candidates from Sudurpashchim for upcoming election
The Nepali Communist Party (NCP) led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has finalized its list of candidates in Sudurpashchim Province for the upcoming elections on March 5. The party, under the influence of leader Dr. Bhim Rawal, has selected candidates for various constituencies. In Kailali, Prem Ale will contest from constituency No. 5, Hari Chaudhary ‘Utsav’ from No. 4, Bir Man Chaudhari from No. 3, and Rajendra Saud from No. 2. The candidate for Kailali-1 has yet to be finalized.
Congress urges former members to rejoin the party
The Nepali Congress has called on members who have become inactive for various reasons, as well as those who left the party, to return to the Congress fold. A meeting of the Central Working Committee held on Saturday under the leadership of party chair Gagan Thapa urged individuals who had distanced themselves from the party to reaffiliate. The meeting expressed gratitude to the Election Commission for recognizing and updating the decisions of the Nepali Congress’s second special general convention in accordance with the Constitution, prevailing laws, and the party statute.
Gagan Thapa urges Deuba, Khadka to take guardian role as Nepali Congress moves forward
Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has called on outgoing party President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka to provide a guiding, guardian-like role as the party moves forward. Speaking to journalists ahead of the Central Working Committee meeting on Saturday, Thapa stressed on putting past differences aside and uniting the party for the days ahead, following the Election Commission’s recognition of the second special general convention. Thapa highlighted that the process of electing new leadership through the special convention has concluded and said questions regarding procedural legitimacy are natural. “Some colleagues went to the Election Commission with their views, and I have taken that naturally. We also went to the Commission ourselves,” he said.
Bamdev Gautam set to contest House of Representatives election from Bardiya-1
Nepali Communist Party (NCP) leader Bamdev Gautam is set to contest the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. Currently a member of the National Assembly, the party has confirmed that Gautam will contest the election from Bardiya constituency number 1 under the first-past-the-post system. He is preparing to resign from his position as a National Assembly member on Sunday. NCP coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal has advised Gautam to contest from Bardiya-1. Gautam is currently in Bardiya, actively engaged in election preparations.
Deuba-led NC to challenge Gagan Thapa recognition at Supreme Court
The Sher Bahadur Deuba faction of the Nepali Congress has rejected the Election Commission’s decision to recognize Gagan Thapa as party president. The group made the announcement following a Central Working Committee meeting held on Saturday in Sanepa. Party spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat said the decision was made without consulting or summoning the Deuba faction. “The Election Commission issued a decision on the Nepali Congress without calling us or hearing our views,” Mahat said. “On the basis of this unjust decision, we cannot accept anyone as party president. Our president remains Sher Bahadur Deuba, and the acting president is Purna Bahadur Khadka. We are the legitimate representatives of the party.”
UML-affiliated youth wing protests decision to withdraw charges against Rabi Lamichhane
The National Youth Federation Nepal, the youth wing affiliated with the CPN-UML, has expressed strong objection to the government’s decision to withdraw organized crime and money laundering charges filed against Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chair Rabi Lamichhane. Association President Kshitij Thebe, in a statement shared on social media, termed the decision illegal, immoral, and an act that promotes impunity. He warned the government to immediately reverse the decision, stating that such moves undermine the rule of law and public trust in the justice system.
Oli and Dahal initiate discussions following Thapa’s official recognition by Election Commission
Following the Election Commission’s official recognition of Gagan Thapa as Nepali Congress president, talks have started between major communist factions in Nepal. On Friday, after the commission granted Thapa legitimacy, CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Communist Party Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal initiated discussions. The dialogue comes after the political landscape shifted with Thapa taking command of the Nepali Congress, despite prior discussions on a potential electoral alliance between Oli and Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Sujata Koirala congratulates Gagan Thapa, says change has come within Nepali Congress
Nepali Congress leader Sujata Koirala has extended congratulations and best wishes to Gagan Thapa, who was elected party president through the special general convention. In a video message shared on social media platform Facebook on Saturday, Koirala said the Nepali Congress has not split, but has instead embraced change in line with public aspiration. “Youth, Nepali society, and the people want change today. This change should be accepted with happiness and embraced with a smile,” she said. “Change has come within the Nepali Congress. The party has not split. A new president has been elected, and I want to congratulate him.”
Foreign investment commitments reach Rs 39.23 billion in first six months of current FY
Nepal has received foreign direct investment (FDI) commitments worth Rs 39.23 billion in the first six months of the current fiscal year from its development partners, according to the Department of Industry. As per the department’s monthly FDI report, investment commitments were recorded across 475 industries during the first six months of the fiscal year. In the first three months alone, 311 industries had received investment commitments amounting to Rs 35.13 billion. The report shows that during the current fiscal year, seven large-scale industries, eight medium-scale industries and 460 small-scale industries received foreign investment commitments. In the month of Poush, commitments worth Rs 5.99 billion were recorded in 36 small-scale industries.
Tashi Lhazom’s removal sparks overnight RSP sit-in by Humla, Karnali leaders
Leaders and cadres from Humla district staged an overnight sit-in at the central office of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in Ghantighar on Friday night, expressing anger over the party’s proportional representation list.
Humla district chair Lrajit Pariyar and leader Ganesh Pandey, along with other leaders from Karnali, joined the sit-in at the party’s central office. The protest was triggered after the party removed Tashi Lhazom’s name from the proportional list, and Karnali’s representation was excluded. Ganesh Pandey clarified that Tashi Lhazom did not voluntarily withdraw her name; rather, the party unilaterally removed it. “We had to sit overnight in protest because the region was not represented,” Pandey said.
Nepali team sent off for ICC T20 World Cup in India, Sri Lanka
The Nepali national cricket team has been formally sent off for the ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka. The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) organized a farewell program on Saturday to wish the team success ahead of the global tournament. The squad will depart on Sunday, as it is set to play warm-up series in Sri Lanka and India prior to the World Cup. Speaking at the farewell event, CAN Secretary Paras Khadka extended best wishes to the players and the support staff. “This is a tournament watched by the entire world, and Nepal has been performing well,” Khadka said. “Best wishes to the players and the management team. We also hope Nepali supporters in India will stand with the team.”
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