Kathmandu — President Ram Chandra Paudel has held the government’s recommendation to appoint Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal as a member of the National Assembly, according to a source close to the President.
The Council of Ministers meeting held on Chaitra 1 decided to recommend Aryal for the vacant seat in the upper house. Aryal, who also serves as the government spokesperson, publicly announced the Cabinet’s decision.
The position became vacant after former National Assembly member Bamdev Gautam resigned before completing his term, which was set to end on Falgun 20. Under constitutional provisions, one-third of National Assembly members retire every two years. Among the vacant seats, three members are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the government.
Writ Filed in Supreme Court
The Cabinet’s recommendation has been challenged in the Supreme Court. Advocate Manish Kumar Shrestha and others filed a writ petition seeking to annul the decision to recommend Aryal for the position. The hearing has been scheduled for Chaitra 25.
Decision Pending
A source close to the President said the recommendation has been kept on hold. The development comes as a new government is expected to be formed following the House of Representatives election held on Falgun 21, in which the Rastriya Swatantra Party secured a near two-thirds majority.
Party leaders have begun preparations to form the government under senior leader Balen Shah. Five days have passed since the Cabinet forwarded Aryal’s name, but the appointment has not been made. The matter remains pending.
