Pokhara, January 3

The recent swearing-in of Resham Chaudhary, who was elected as Member of Parliament from Constituency-1, Kailali, has raised concerns about the fate of Rajiv Gurung, aka Deepak Manange, elected as a Provincial Assembly member from Manang.

Manange has been prevented from swearing in over an attempt to murder case against him.

Recently, Manange, on December 21, had filed an application at the Provincial Assembly in Gandaki Province demanding that he be sworn-in as an elected people’s representative.

The Provincial Assembly Speaker Netranath Adhikari said it was uncertain if Manange would be allowed to be sworn in.

“I’ve called a meeting of the Work Management Consultation Committee for Sunday. The meeting will discuss the issue,” said Adhikari, adding, “As it is a legal and political issue, we’re consulting legal eagles.”

Principal Attorney Rajendra Ghimire of Gandaki Province pointed out lack of clarity in law regarding Manange’s case and other cases of similar nature.

“My job is only to explain what the law provides for in this case; it’s ultimately the speaker who has a say in this matter,” Ghimire said.

It’s important to note here that a PA member who remains absent in 10 consecutive PA meetings without prior information is liable to get his PA membership scrapped. But, it is unclear as to whether this provision will apply in Manage’s case given the fact that he has yet to be sworn-in in that capacity.

Serving time in Dillibazaar prison after he was arrested in April last year over the attempted murder case, Gurung was released from the prison following a recent order of the Supreme Court on December 21.

Manage was also elected as a Constituent Assembly member from Manang district. Deepak Manange had contested as an independent candidate in the polls following an all-round criticism of news of him running for the post representing the then CPN-UML.