Discontent over second man row, Nidhi stays away from Cabinet
KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi stayed away from the Cabinet meeting on Sunday afternoon after it was obvious to him that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal would designate Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa the second man in the coalition government.
The Cabinet, which has to hold its regular meeting two times a week, had failed to meet for 24 days over the protocol row between Nidhi and Thapa.
The Cabinet meeting, scheduled for 3 pm, started with a delay at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at Singhadarbar.
DPM Nidhi, who holds the Home portfolio, did not go to take part in the meeting, one of his aides confirmed.
Both Thapa and Nidhi them had been claiming a stake over the position next to the Prime Minister in the 45-member Council of Ministers.
Dahal, who wanted to buy time to make a decision and refrain from displeasing his deputies, had embarked on China visit without designating Acting Prime Minister.
Thapa, who is the chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party, was inducted in the Cabinet on March 9 as DPM after the Madhesi parties affiliated to the United Democratic Madhesi Front announced to withdraw their support to the ruling coalition. The Cabinet last met on March 16.
Nidhi, who leads the largest party Nepali Congress in the coalition goverment, had argued that he sould be next to the Prime Minister as per an agreement between Nepali Congress and CPN Maoist Centre while forming the coalition.
Thapa, on the other hand, expected the Prime Minister to return him a favour – with an acknowledgement as the second man — for joining the Cabinet to ensure the Dahal-led coalition government a majority at the time Madhesi parties were on the verge of withdrawing their support.
Many major issues, including appointment of Nepal Police's chief and the proposed amendment to the Constitution in order to convince Madhesi parties to take part in the local election, were left ignored due to the failure to hold Cabinet meetings.
Earlier it was tipped off that Nidhi would tender his resignation if Thapa was put above him in the protocol. He, however, will stay put in the office after Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur reportedly asked him not to make the protocol an issue.
