Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai tried to address the domestic political stalemate by relieving Defence Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari of his post on the eve of his four-day official visit to India.
The prime minister made the announcement in parliament which had been adjourned for over a week following the Defence Ministers statement that there was no law that could prevent secession of 22 districts along the plains of Nepal if it was so decided by the Madhesi parties.
The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktrantrik (MJF-L) political affairs committee decided by a majority on Wednesday to call back Bhandari so that the House could run smoothly and focus on more important issues.
Bhandari and Land Reforms Minister Prabhu Sah have been relieved of their posts, Bhattarai said. Sah had tendered his resignation four days ago after his alleged role in a murder led to an Opposition demand that he quit.
Bhattarai gave MJF-L leader and Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Gachedar the Defence portfolio till an alternative was found.
