Sunday, August 16th, 2026

Ramhari Khatiwada open to stepping down amid ‘cooling-off period’ controversy



KATHMANDU: Ramhari Khatiwada, Chairperson of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives, has said he was ready to step down if the party instructs him to do so.

Speaking at the ongoing Central Working Committee meeting of the Nepali Congress on Friday, Khatiwada said he would resign from his parliamentary post if directed by the party leadership.

“In my case, if the party asks me to step aside, I am ready,” he said during the meeting.

Khatiwada, a central committee member of the Nepali Congress, has come under fire for allegedly tampering with the “cooling-off period” provision that was unanimously passed by the parliamentary committee.

The controversy has drawn criticism from both ruling coalition partner CPN-UML and opposition parties, many of whom have called on him to resign on moral grounds.

During the meeting, Khatiwada emphasized party unity and cautioned against internal division.

“The party belongs to everyone. Some may criticize the president, others the vice president, general secretary, or central members. But where will the party end up if we continue tearing each other down?” he said. “We should reflect on this and work toward improvement in the days ahead.”

Publish Date : 04 July 2025 16:11 PM

Today’s News in a Nutshell

KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of

Minister Dr Timilsina inspects disaster-prone settlements in Nuwakot

NUWAKOT: Minister for Information and Communication Dr Bikram Timilsina on

Death toll from Thawang landslide reaches 12

ROLPA: One more dead body was recovered from the landslide occurred

National consensus necessary for the country: Rajendra Lingden

NAWALPARASI: Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chair Rajendra Prasad Lingden has

NOC to sell cooking gas at seven locations in Kathmandu Valley on Sunday

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) will sell liquefied petroleum