KATHMANDU, Feb 28: Finance Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada has hinted that he would be re-nominated as a member of upper house and would continue to work as a minister.
The indication from Khatiwada, who has also been taking charge of the communication and information technology ministry after Gokul Baskota resigned over bribe accusation, comes at a time when the ruling Nepal Communist Party leaders are sharply divided over whom to pick as upper house member under the quota to be nominated by the President.
“March 4 has been set as the day for taking the oath of office and secrecy. See you there again,” said Khatiwada at a press conference organized at the ministry.
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Yuba Raj Khatiwada, one of the contenders for the position, has hinted that he would be nominated. Leaders have engaged in verbal war over the issue.
Even as the party’s Secretariat decided to recommend Vice-chairman Bamdev Gautam as an upper house member, Prime Minister Oli has informed the media that he had already recommended to the President to continue Khatiwada as an upper house member.
An upper house seat to be filled by the president’s nominee will be vacant on March 3 when the term of the existing member Yuba Raj Khatiwada, who is also the finance minister, expires.
Previously, Khatiwada was nominated an upper house member by the President.
If Khatiwada is re-nominated by the President, he will continue his job as the finance minister.
Oli wants to give continuity to Khatiwada’s membership whereas Dahal is lobbying to nominate Gautam to the upper house seat when it falls vacant. Dahal has assured Gautam of lobbying to amend the constitution to clear the way for him to become the prime minister.
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