Karna sworn-in as new Madhes Province Chief

By A Staff Reporter.Kathmandu, Nov. 12: President Ramchandra Paudel has administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed Chief of Madhes Province, Surendra Labh Karna, at a ceremony held at Sheetal Niwas on Tuesday.

Karna’s appointment follows the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, and was made in accordance with Article 163 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal, according to Pradeep Kumar Koirala, Spokesperson for the Office of the President. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Sushila Karki, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, and other senior officials.

The move comes a day after the Cabinet relieved Sumitra Subedi Bhandari of her duties as the Chief of Madhes Province. President Paudel formally dismissed Bhandari from her position on the recommendation of the Government of Nepal, in line with Clause (b) of Sub-clause (1) of Article 165 of the constitution. The government had proposed Bhandari’s removal on Monday, citing her alleged involvement in the illegal appointment of a provincial Chief Minister.

 Meanwhile, newly appointed Chief Minister of Madhes Saroj Kumar Yadav assumed his office amid tight security on Tuesday. According to our Janakpur correspondent Dharmendra Jha, the leaders and cadres of seven parties demonstrated outside the outside the Madhes Building when CM Yadav assumed his office.