November 4: The government on Sunday sacked governors of all seven provinces. President Bidya Devi Bhandari relieved the governors of their duties upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.

The decision has removed Province 1 Governor Dr Govinda Bahadur Tumbahang, Province 2 Governor Ratneshwar Lal Kayastha, Province 3 Governor Anuradha Koirala, Gandaki Province Governor Baburam Kunwar, Province 5 Governor Umakanta Jha, Karmali Province Governor Durga Keshar Khanal and Sudur Paschim Province Governor Mohan Raj Malla from their posts.

The government was planning to name the new governors on the same day but later decided to appoint the governors on Monday as the ruling Nepal Communist Party could not reach a decision on this issue. The then government led by Sher Bahadur Deuba had appointed the governors on January 17, 2018.

The constitution has a provision of appointing chief of each of the seven provinces as the representatives of the government. The new government formed under the leadership of KP Sharma Oli had earlier tried to remove the governors but did not succeed. This time, the President’s Office informed in a statement that the governors were relieved of their duties as per Article 165 of the constitution. Unless the governors are removed from their posts, they can enjoy a term of five years as the head of the provinces.

Meanwhile, the main opposition Nepali Congress has raised objections to the removal of the governors. NC said that the government’s decision to sack the governors is biased.