Rejection of two ambassadorial nominees brings RSP tensions into focus
Summary
A parliamentary committee dominated by the Rastriya Swatantra Party has rejected two government ambassadorial nominees and deferred a third, intensifying scrutiny of the appointment process and tensions within the ruling party. The controversy has also revived questions about merit-based selection and political influence in diplomatic postings.
Key Points
- The Parliamentary Hearing Committee rejected the nominations of Giribahadur Sunar for Saudi Arabia and Chudamani Kharel for Malaysia, while putting Jigyan Kumar Thapa’s nomination for Japan on hold.
- The decision has exposed tensions inside the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party and drawn attention to competing power centres around Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Rabi Lamichhane and Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal.
- Party leaders and officials defended the committee’s move as parliamentary oversight, while critics said the ambassadorial selection process lacked adequate vetting and transparency.
- The government had invited applications for 13 ambassador posts through an open call that drew more than 4,400 applicants before Cabinet recommendations were sent to the committee.
