Rajesh Jha ‘Ahiraj’ appointed as a new Chief of Province-2

KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has designated Rajesh Jha ‘Ahiraj’ of Rautahat as the Province-2 Chief upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.

Journalist Jha has been appointed as the province chief on Friday upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers in line with the Article 163 (2) of the Nepal Constitution, reads a statement issued by Spokesperson of the Office of the President, Jagannath Panta.

Jha was sworn in as Province Chief at the President’s Office, Sheetal Niwas on Friday afternoon amid a special program. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Chairman of National Assembly and other high level officials were present on the occasion.

However, Vice President Nanda Kishor Pun and Speaker Agni Sapkota were not present on the program.

Earlier, the President had relieved province-2 chief Tilak Pariyar upon cabinet recommendation in accordance with the Article 165 (1)(b) of the Nepal Constitution.

Pariyar is believed to be associated with Prachanda-Madhav faction of Nepal Communist Party (NCP).

Nepali Congress opposes dismissal and appointment of state chief

The main opposition party, Nepali Congress (NC), has protested and condemned the dismissal and new appointment of the provincial chief of Province No. 2 on the recommendation of the government.

The current government had earlier appointed a new state chief by reversing the procedure made during the previous government.

Congress spokesperson Bishwo Prakash Sharma has accused the government of further diminishing the dignity of the state chief by repeating the same trend.