KATHMANDU, MARCH 25
Following the rift between Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Deepak Khadka and Kulman Ghising, the decision of the government to oust Ghising, who had only four months left in his term, as executive director of the Nepal Electricity Authority and appoint Hitendra Dev Shakya has sparked a strong discontent.
Ghising and Khadka had long been at odds. Khadka was reportedly dissatisfied with Ghising's independent approach. The minister accused him of non-cooperation and proposed his dismissal. Despite multiple requests, Ghising failed to comply with government directives or provide satisfactory explanations, resulting in his termination.
The decision was made at a cabinet meeting on Monday evening, which was denied by the government spokesperson Prithivi Subba Gurung. However, while making the decision of the Council of Ministers public during a press conference today, said that Ghising has been sacked from the post of executive director of Nepal Electricity Authority and Shakya has been appointed in his stead.
Meanwhile, the decision of the government to dismiss Ghising has flared up a vehement uproar within the ruling coalition and outside the government. Numerous people were seen taking to the roads today in support of Ghising. While social media is flooded with outrage over this move.
Yesterday, two general secretaries of the Nepali Congress-an alliance partner in the government-expressed reservations against the government's decision. Gagan Thapa took to Facebook immediately following Ghising's dismissal but did not mention his name.
Thapa wrote, "Amid growing discontent among the common citizens, instead of delivering, the government is adding fuel to the fire of dissatisfaction. The government's decision is wrong! You cannot get to the right place by taking the wrong path."
Another NC General Secretary, Bishwaprakash Sharma, claimed that there was no consensus among NC office bearers to remove Ghising from his position. "Internal and public warnings were issued to ensure that the Ghising be allowed to complete his remaining term and not be removed. But the government's decision is regressive and turns discontent into despair."
Janamat Party President CK Raut posted images of news of Ghising's removal from the post, stating, "We need to be sensitive and say that everyone who is popular in the country is being attacked one by one."
"The extreme political interference in the NEA has increased the risk of another energy crisis," Rastriya Prajatantra Party chair Rajendra Linden wrote on Facebook.
Similarly, protests occurred along the Maitighar-Baneshwor section, with protesters condemning the firing. Protesters were seen holding placards with aggressive slogans against the government. "Where is the government going? Turning off the electricity and removing Kulman,"a slogan read.
A large number of security personnel were also deployed as protesters attempted to breach and break barriers in the prohibited area of Baneshwor, near the Parliament building. Police were seen using water cannons to squash protests.
Netizens have also trolled the government decision to dismiss Ghising. Numerous social media users took to various platforms expressing their discontents.
"Do not tweet merely to gauge public sentiment for the sake of popularity. As the General Secretary of a significant party in the government, you also share the responsibility of removing Kulman Ghising from the NEA. The public has lost faith in you; do not let this lead to further resentment. Either recall your minister or resign from the government immediately! Shame on you, Gagan Ji," reads Dr Sandesh Lamsal's post on X.
Rajani Dhugana called it a dark day for Nepal. "The decision to remove Kulman Ghising from the Executive Director position of NEA is deeply disappointing. His leadership ended load shedding and transformed Nepal's power sector.This move raises serious concerns about the future of our energy stability," reads her post.
However, the government has said that the ongoing protests on the streets and online in support of Ghising are not surprising.
Gurung, who is also the Minister of Communications, Information, and Technology, made the statement during a press conference today. "We have the right to disagree with the government's decisions. We have not taken protests and uproars as otherwise."
