Kathmandu, Oct 14: Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba ousted four ministers from his cabinet after their party- the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) walked out of the coalition and made an alliance for November elections with the opposition.
Issuing a press release on Thursday (Oct 13) evening, the Office of the President made the announcement about the revilement of four ministers from their portfolio on the recommendation of Prime Minister Deuba. "President Bidya Devi Bhandari relieved the ministers from their respective ministerial portfolios at the recommendation of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba as per Article 77 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal," the statement read.
Those relieved from the ministerial position include Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Rajendra Shrestha, Minister for Forest and Environment Pradeep Yadav, Minister for Physical Infrastructure Mohammad Istiyak Rai and Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Mrigendra Kumar Singh. In a separate development, the President's Office also announced that Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Gobinda Prasad Sharma (Koirala) has also been relieved from the post.
With about a month left for the general elections, Prime Minister Deuba who also is an acting Premier of the Himalayan nation cannot fulfil the vacant portfolios as the election code of conduct has come into effect. According to the code of conduct of the Election Commission, even if these ministers are removed, there are fewer chances of a new appointment on board.