Kathmandu, November 2
Jigyan Kumar Thapa, who was proposed for appointment as Nepal’s ambassador to Japan, has withdrawn his nomination.
Bodhanarayan Shrestha, chairperson of the Parliamentary Hearing Committee, said Thapa had informed the committee of his decision to withdraw his name.
“He has informed us that he intends to withdraw his name. He is at Singha Durbar and will submit a formal application shortly,” Shrestha said.
He added that Thapa had also informed the committee that he would not appear before it but would submit his application.
According to Shrestha, Thapa decided to withdraw his nomination in view of questions raised over a possible conflict of interest.
“There was no legal problem. However, since questions were raised about a conflict of interest, and this concerns the country, he said he would withdraw his name,” Shrestha said.
The parliamentary hearing of the proposed ambassadors was held on October 14. The Parliamentary Hearing Committee approved the nominations of only 10 of the 13 candidates recommended for appointment on that day.
The committee rejected the nominations of Giribahadur Sunar, proposed as ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and Chudamani Kharel, proposed as ambassador to Malaysia.
The hearing of Thapa, who was proposed as ambassador to Japan, was postponed for further study after lawmakers questioned whether he held permanent residency (PR) in Japan.
During the hearing, Thapa had clarified that he had already renounced his Japanese PR. However, lawmakers raised questions about the provisions of Article 291 of the Constitution and the period since he had renounced his PR.
