Sudurpaschim Provincial Assembly Vacancies Rise to Three After UML Lawmaker Resigns

Dhangadhi: The number of vacant seats in the Sudurpaschim Provincial Assembly has reached three following the resignation of CPN-UML lawmaker Bir Bahadur Thapa in protest against the budget. With two seats already vacant in the 53-member Assembly, Thapa’s resignation has added another vacancy.

Thapa, who has also served as a minister, was elected from Provincial Constituency No. 1 of Kanchanpur Constituency No. 1. He submitted his resignation to the Speaker, citing dissatisfaction with the budget presented by the provincial government.

According to the Constitution of Nepal, a Provincial Assembly member’s seat becomes vacant upon resignation. The Speaker will announce Thapa’s resignation during the next session of the Provincial Assembly.

Earlier, Tara Joshi, an independent lawmaker elected from Provincial Constituency No. 2 of Dadeldhura Constituency No. 1, had also resigned. He was subsequently elected to the House of Representatives as a member of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).

Meanwhile, Prakash Deuba, a Nepali Congress lawmaker elected from Provincial Constituency No. 2 of Kailali Constituency No. 5, has been removed from his position. The Speaker dismissed him after he remained absent from consecutive Provincial Assembly meetings.