Amid growing debate over whether Energy Minister Kulman Ghising can remain in an election-time government after becoming vice-chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Minister for Information and Communications Jagdish Kharel has said the government has not yet received any official information on the matter.
Kharel, who also serves as the government spokesperson, said the Cabinet would consider the issue only after receiving formal notification regarding Ghising’s appointment to the party’s leadership. Speaking to journalists at Bharatpur Airport on Friday, Kharel said the government is currently unaware of Ghising’s political affiliation.
“We have not received any official information regarding Mr. Kulman’s entry into a political party. Once such information is formally submitted, the Cabinet will meet and decide accordingly,” Kharel said.
He added that regardless of any Cabinet decision, every citizen retains the constitutional right to contest elections. Kharel noted that ministers serving in an interim government are also eligible to run in elections.
“As for myself, I have not yet joined any political party, nor have I decided whether I will contest the election,” he said.
The current administration was formed solely to oversee the election process and is intended to be non-partisan. Some political observers argue that if Ghising formally joins a political party, he should resign from his ministerial post. Questions have also been raised about whether Prime Minister Karki should remove Ghising following his party affiliation.
According to sources close to the Prime Minister, Ghising had planned to submit his resignation before attending the Ujyalo Nepal declaration program. However, the Prime Minister reportedly asked him to complete several remaining responsibilities before stepping aside.
Ghising did not hold any executive position in Ujyalo Nepal and served only as its patron. In contrast, he has already signed an agreement to assume the role of vice-chair in the Rastriya Swatantra Party.
Sources further said that anticipating Ghising’s departure from the government, the Prime Minister had temporarily retained the Foreign Ministry under her own charge. Former Lieutenant General Balananda Sharma has since been appointed as Foreign Minister.
