KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Unity agreement reached with Kulman: Ujyalo Nepal to merge into Rastriya Swatantra Party
The Ujyalo Nepal Party, led by Kulman Ghising, is set to merge with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) led by Rabi Lamichhane. The agreement was reached during a meeting on Monday evening in Kamalpokhari between Kulman, Rabi, and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Sah. The discussion was facilitated by Gen-Z activist Sudhan Gurung.
Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak records statement before high-level probe commission
Nepali Congress leader and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has recorded his statement before the high-level investigation commission formed to probe the Gen-Z movement. Lekhak appeared before the commission on Monday and responded to questions raised by the officials through verbal testimony, while also submitting a written statement prepared in advance. He informed that he recorded his statement for around two and a half hours, during which he clarified the actions and decisions taken in his capacity as Home Minister during the Gen-Z movement held on September 8 and 9.
Kulman seeks second rank and 25% share in RSP; Balen agrees, Rabi resists
Decisive talks are underway among Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chair Rabi Lamichhane, Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah, and Ujyalo Nepal Party patron Kulman Ghising on unifying under a single RSP banner. Gen-Z activist Sudan Gurung is facilitating the negotiations and has reportedly kept the three leaders together at a residence in Kamalpokhari, pressing for a deal before Tuesday morning, as receipts for proportional representation lists have already been taken from the Election Commission.
UML’s proportional representation list includes Vice Chair Badal, Komal Wali to Santa Bahadur Chepang
The Communist Party of Nepal (UML) has submitted its closed list of proportional representation candidates to the Election Commission for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. A team led by UML central committee member and head of the party’s Election Department, Niraj Acharya, submitted the list at the Election Commission office in Kantipath.
Nepali Communist Party and Ranjita’s Nagarik Unmukti Party agree to merge
The Nepali Communist Party (NCP) led by Pushpakamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and the Nagarik Unmukti Party led by Ranjita Shrestha have reached an agreement to merge on Monday. The unification comes as both parties were submitting their proportional representation lists to the Election Commission for the upcoming election on March 5.
Ashok Rai, Rajendra Mahato and Resham Chaudhary to contest election under common symbol ‘janto’
The Janata Samajwadi Party led by Ashok Rai, the Rastriya Mukti Party led by Rajendra Mahato, and the Nagarik Unmukti Party Nepal led by Resham Chaudhary have decided to contest the upcoming Falgun election under a single election symbol. The three leaders, who reached the Election Commission on Monday to submit their proportional representation lists, announced that all three parties will contest the election using Nagarik Unmukti Party Nepal’s election symbol, Janto (grinding stone).
NA Chair Dahal pays courtesy call on PM Karki
National Assembly (NA) Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sushila Karki today. The Upper House Chair held a meeting with Prime Minister Karki at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar on Monday.
Ranju and Ramesh secure popular votes in RSP’s initial proportional poll
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by Rabi Lamichhane, has made public the results of its initial internal voting for proportional representation candidates on Monday. According to the preliminary results, Ramesh Prasai topped the men’s category, while Ranju Darshana, who recently joined the party, secured the highest votes among women candidates.
What transpired between KP Oli and Lekhak ahead of Gen-Z protest on September 8
Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has revealed that ahead of the Gen-Z protest on September 8, he held discussions with then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, during which clear instructions were given to maintain peace and ensure that there would be no casualties. Lekhak disclosed this while addressing a press conference after recording his statement before the probe commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki, which is investigating the incidents of September 8-9.
Court orders release of Dipendra Agrawal on bail, halts SEBON-led action
The Kathmandu District Court has ordered the release of stock market investor Dipendra Agrawal on bail, stating that there are insufficient grounds to keep him in custody for further investigation. With the court’s order, the action process initiated under the leadership of Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) Chair Santosh Narayan Shrestha has effectively been put on hold. Agrawal was arrested 10 days ago by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) from the Chundevi area of Kathmandu following a recommendation from SEBON. He was accused of being involved in “insider trading” related to shares of various companies. Since his arrest, he had been under CIB custody for investigation.
UML General Secretary Pokharel says planners of Singha Durbar arson will not be forgotten
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has said those who planned and carried out the arson at Singha Durbar will not be forgotten. Posting a photo of the Singha Durbar building engulfed in flames on social media on Monday morning, Pokharel described the incident as destructive and unacceptable, saying such acts cannot be justified in the name of a people’s movement. He said the massive damage caused in a single day could not represent a genuine public protest under any circumstances.
NEPSE slips 10.53 points
The stock market witnessed a correction on Monday after posting a strong gain on Sunday. The benchmark NEPSE index declined by 10.53 points, closing at 2,622.88 points. Except for the Development Bank and Mutual Fund sub-indices, all other sectoral indices ended the day in negative territory. Investors in the ‘Others’ sub-index incurred the highest loss, with the index falling by 0.82 percent.
Halesi Mahadev draws thousands of devotees daily in Khotang
Thousands of devotees visit Halesi Mahadev, one of Nepal’s most revered religious sites, every day for worship and pilgrimage. Located inside a natural cave in the remote hilly region of Khotang district, Halesi Mahadev is believed to have existed for more than 6,000 years. The temple holds immense religious significance for both Hindu and Buddhist followers. According to legend, Lord Shiva hid in this cave to escape the demon Bhasmasur. With the help of Lord Vishnu’s divine strategy, Shiva later killed the demon and, along with his consort Goddess Parvati, made the cave his dwelling place.
Majority faction of Janata Samajwadi Party merges with Janata Samajwadi Party, Nepal
A majority group of the Janata Samajwadi Party, led by Co-Chairperson Ranju Yadav, has merged with the Janata Samajwadi Party, Nepal. According to the agreement reached on December 28 (yesterday), both factions are now part of a single party structure. The party leadership stated that the unification is expected to strengthen the organizational framework and facilitate coordinated political activities.
HoR election: 18 centres, including one polling station, added
A total of 18 centres, including one new polling station, have been added in Rautahat district for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, 2026. The District Election Office said the additional centres and stations are intended to make voting more convenient compared to the House of Representatives election held in 2022. According to District Election Office Rautahat Chief Chhotelal Das, the district had 523 polling centres during the 2022 election. With the addition of 18 new centres this year, the total number has increased to 541.
Gold price drops by Rs 600, silver hits new record in local market
The price of gold in the local market declined on Tuesday, while silver reached a new all-time high. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of gold fell by Rs 600 per tola compared to the previous day. Gold is being traded at Rs 270,000 per tola today. On the previous day, gold was traded at Rs 270,600 per tola, which remains the highest price recorded so far in the domestic market.
NCP to include only new faces in proportional representation list
The Nepali Communist Party (NCP) has decided to give priority to new faces in its proportional representation (PR) list for the upcoming elections. According to the party’s decision, no individual who has previously served as a Member of Parliament or as a minister will be included in the proportional lists for either the House of Representatives or the National Assembly. The decision was reached through a consensus among the party’s top leadership. Under the agreement, candidates who were earlier elected either through the first-past-the-post or proportional system will not be recommended this time.
RSP central committee endorses unity agreement with Balen Shah
The central committee of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has formally endorsed the broad unity agreement between the party and Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah. RSP General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti said the decision was taken during a special meeting of the party’s central committee held on Sunday night, chaired by RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane. According to Burlakoti, the meeting approved the agreement on broader unity between the RSP and Mayor Shah, describing it as a move that reflects bold commitment, sacrifice and hope in the national interest.
EC sets spending limits for NA candidates
The Election Commission (EC) has fixed the expenditure ceiling for candidates contesting the election of National Assembly (NA) members. According to the Commission, the total spending limit for each candidate in the National Assembly election has been set at Rs 1 million. Of this, candidates are allowed to spend up to Rs 350,000 under specified campaign-related headings.
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