Kathmandu, November 10
The dispute over the Chief Minister’s appointment in Madhesh Province has taken an intense turn. Both the Office of the Chief Minister and the Office of the Provincial Head have been vandalized, while party leaders and cadres burned tires and demonstrated in front of the Madhesh Building.
Leaders and cadres of dissatisfied parties have assaulted government employees in Madhesh Province over the issue of the Chief Minister’s appointment. The attack took place inside the Chief Minister’s office.
A video shows a male staff member trying to protect official records during the vandalism. The mob then surrounds him, punching him on the head. The file he was holding falls to the floor. Another employee then helps him escape the furious crowd and takes him outside the room.
Earlier in the morning, lawmakers, including those from the Nepali Congress, entered the Chief Minister’s office and vandalized property. During the chaos, one lawmaker even removed and threw away Nepal’s national flag.
Provincial lawmakers and cadres from the Nepali Congress, Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), and Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP) have protested the appointment of UML leader Saroj Kumar Yadav as Chief Minister.
Provincial Head Sumitra Subedi Bhandari had announced around 4 am on Monday that she was unwell and would be leaving for Kathmandu. Outgoing Chief Minister Jitendra Sonal saw her off, offering flowers and wishing her a speedy recovery.
However, after reaching Hotel Panas in Kalapani, Bardibas Municipality–3 of Mahottari, Provincial Head Bhandari administered the oath of office to UML parliamentary party leader Saroj Kumar Yadav as Chief Minister, recognizing him as the leader of the largest party. This incident has stirred political turmoil in Madhesh Province.
Dissatisfied parties have strongly criticized the move. Outgoing Chief Minister and LSP leader Sonal accused the Provincial Head of “robbing the dignity of Madhesh Province.”
Similarly, Janamat Party Chair Dr. CK Raut said this is the right moment to declare Madhesh autonomous. He has called for the Madhesh Provincial Assembly to hold its session, even on the streets if necessary, to announce autonomy.
