Banking Khabar | Kathmandu
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has given Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli a 48-hour ultimatum to appoint the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, demanding that the decision be made in line with the coalition agreement. The ultimatum followed the last-minute cancellation of the Cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday evening, where the appointment was expected to move forward.
Despite an understanding between the ruling Nepali Congress and CPN-UML to appoint a candidate proposed by Congress, Prime Minister Oli has continued to delay the decision, citing various reasons. Initially, Congress had recommended NRB Executive Director Dr. Gunakar Bhatt, but controversy arose when his resignation was not approved. Subsequently, Dr. Bishwo Paudel, a member of the Governor Recommendation Committee, resigned on Baisakh 26 after being backed for the position by Congress. Yet, the appointment has not progressed, intensifying frustration within the coalition.
Sources close to Deuba revealed that he blocked Monday’s Cabinet meeting in protest and refused to meet Oli at his Budhanilkantha residence, where the Prime Minister had offered to come for talks. Oli later conveyed that he was unwell and unable to attend, prompting further dissatisfaction from the Congress side.
This political standoff has escalated tensions within the coalition government, with Deuba now pressuring Oli to fulfill his commitment or face potential consequences within the alliance. The coming 48 hours will be crucial in determining whether the long-delayed appointment will finally move forward or trigger a deeper rift in the ruling coalition.
