Kathmandu, August 15

Four persons, who were among the 14 ambassadorial nominees, whose names were withdrawn by the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government, filed a writ petition today challenging the government’s decision.

Among those who filed the writ petition today are Yubraj Karki, Khadga Bahadur KC, Narad Bhardwaj and Shivmaya Tumbahamphe, according to Assistant Spokesperson of Supreme Court Bishwaraj Paudel.

Out of 22 people that the erstwhile KP Sharma Oli-led government had nominated as ambassadors, the Dahal government withdrew the names of 14 ambassadorial nominees.

The lucky eight people were career diplomats who survived the politics of changed power equation.

Bhardwaj said the petitioners challenged the Dahal government’s decision to withdraw their names mainly because the government had violated their right to equality.

Instead of writing a letter to the Speaker, the government directly wrote to the PHSC. “We have argued that it was an arbitrary decision on the part of the government because the PHSC had conducted hearing for almost half the number of nominees when the others’ names were withdrawn,” he added.

He also said that the government’s decision to withdraw the names of ambassadorial nominees at a time when the matter was sub-judice at the PHSC, also challenged the supremacy of the Parliament.