Political turmoil in Nepal: Parliament suspended, Home Minister resigns amid financial conduct probe

Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel on Thursday suspended the session of both houses of the Federal Parliament without convening them, just days after summoning the session for April 30.The president cited “special reasons” for suspending the House of Representatives and the National Assembly on the recommendation of the government and the council of ministers, said Ritesh Kumar Shakya, spokesperson of the Office of the President. No further details were disclosed.Senior-most Parliament Member and Nepali Congress leader Arjun Narsingh K C termed the government’s decision to suspend the Parliament session without even convening it as “unprecedented and surprising.”

Political turmoil deepens

The development came a day after Home Minister Sudan Gurung resigned on Wednesday following allegations relating to his financial conduct while holding office. Gurung, announced his departure on Facebook, saying questions over his investments and other matters should be investigated.“For me, ethics is greater than position, and there is no greater power than public trust,” he wrote.Gurung had come into the spotlight after he ordered the arrest of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and his home minister Ramesh Lekhak in connection with their roles during a crackdown on Gen Z protests last September.

Second minister to leave month-old government

Gurung is the second minister to leave the newly formed government. On April 9, Prime Minister Balendra Shah sacked Labour Minister Dip Kumar Sah at the recommendation of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party over allegations that he misused his position to get his wife appointed to a health insurance board.Prime Minister Shah will now look after the home ministry, an aide told Reuters.Shah — popularly known as Balen — and his Rastriya Swatantra Party rode to power in March, decimating traditional parties in the first general elections since last year’s violent Gen Z protests that demanded generational change and a corruption-free regime. The 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician became prime minister after his three-year-old party, which promised to control corruption and provide good governance, was swept into power.