DPM Khadka dismisses rumour about Adhikari becoming COAS

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Oct. 16: Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka said that there has been a false news circulation in reference to making Yam Prasad Adhikari, Brigadier General of the Nepali Army, the future Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

Addressing the program organized by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ)  on Monday in Kathmandu, DPM Khadka cleared that the term of office of Brigadier General Adhikari was extended by three years only according to the provisions of the Nepali Army, laws, and rules, which is that the tenure can be stretched to three years at a time if there is age and tenure eligibility. 

“The circulation that the agenda is being run to make Adhikari COAS is false. Lately, some of the media are creating confusion in regard to the appointment of the COAS, ” he said. 

The wrong and false information published in the media has a negative effect and its credibility of the organization. The appointment and extension of tenure of an Adhikakri became the talk of the town. 

He said, “Even though the clarification is given on the matter, the rumor is still around.”Adhikari was appointed to the Nepali Army as Brigadier General by creating a post while the ex-Maoist combatants were included in the Nepali Army by the agreement of all parties involved amid peacemaking in 2019.