Finance Minister Rameswor Khanal Denies Interest in National Assembly Seat Amid New Government Formation Buzz

Kathmandu. The final vote count from the House of Representatives election held on Falgun 21 is preparing for formal announcement. Preparations for forming a new government have also begun. Amidst this, there has been speculation on social media and in some media outlets about appointing Finance Minister Rameswor Khanal to the vacant seat in the National Assembly.

Around this time, Finance Minister Khanal returned his diplomatic passport and even the ministry's email ID. Prime Minister Sushila Karki was also positive about appointing Minister Khanal to the National Assembly. Prime Minister Karki has been praising Minister Khanal for his excellent performance while handling the reins of the country's economy during a time of crisis.

A close source indicates that Finance Minister Khanal had initially shown interest in joining the National Assembly. However, the source claims that he is now in a mood not to go. 'Initially, as per the Prime Minister's wish, the Finance Minister showed interest in going to the National Assembly. But we are not aware of what happened in the meantime,' the source said, 'Now, even if a red carpet is rolled out, he is in a state of not going.'

According to the source, the reason behind Finance Minister Khanal's decision not to go to the National Assembly appears to be the uncertainty of getting the Finance Ministry. The source also states that he is in a position not to go due to the risk of losing his reputation as a successful finance minister of the interim government.

Minister Khanal has not become controversial so far. He has succeeded in building a reputation as a successful administrator and a successful finance minister. When Ratopati inquired about the discussions regarding Minister Khanal going to the National Assembly and becoming the Finance Minister again in the new government, he clarified that he had made no decision to go to the National Assembly.

'I cannot go myself. Secondly, I have not expressed such a desire anywhere. I never did in the past. I request you not to follow rumors,' he said.

It is understood that Prime Minister Karki is positive about bringing Khanal to the National Assembly, citing that Khanal worked diligently and his expertise helped bring the crisis-ridden economy back on track.

The constitution mandates that a minister must be a member of the Federal Parliament or become a member within six months of being appointed. The current citizen government was formed under special circumstances following the Gen-Ji movement and was given a mandate to hold elections within six months. The government has fulfilled its mandate by holding elections on time.

Currently, one seat nominated by the President upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers in the National Assembly is vacant. The seat has been vacant since the six-year term of Bamdev Gautam, nominated from the then CPN, ended in the third week of Falgun.

According to sources, other ministers and experts from the government have started visiting Baluwatar for the National Assembly seat. Eighteen members elected in the National Assembly election held on Magh 11 have recently taken the oath of office and secrecy. Only one nomination by the President remains.

Power Balance within RSP

It is almost certain that senior RSP leader Balen Shah (Balen) will lead the new government. There was also talk that if Minister Khanal was nominated to the National Assembly, Balen would give him the key to the Finance Ministry in the next government. This is understood to play a role in the power balance within RSP. However, there is talk that RSP Vice Chairman Dr. Swarnim Wagle will become the next Finance Minister.

It is understood that the Lamichhane faction is preparing to give the responsibility of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister to another Vice Chairman DP Aryal to balance the party's internal dynamics, or send Dr. Swarnim Wagle, another Vice Chairman, as Finance Minister.

However, Balen holds the view that as the executive head, the Prime Minister should be able to choose his own team. In such a situation, a source previously claimed that Balen desires to make Khanal the Finance Minister, keeping Dr. Wagle out. The source claims that Balen has been stating the need for a non-political but experienced technocrat like Khanal to take ruthless economic reform steps, rising above political maneuvering.

With Balen's ascension as the country's executive head almost certain, how he forms his cabinet and who he entrusts with the key to managing the country's economy, the Finance Ministry, has become a subject of interest.

RSP Chairman Ravi Lamichhane had already put forward Dr. Wagle as the future Finance Minister in public programs before the election. While speaking at a party induction program at the National Assembly Hall in Kathmandu before the election, Chairman Lamichhane even told Dr. Wagle to 'start preparing for the next fiscal year's budget writing.' Lamichhane's statement clearly indicated that Dr. Wagle would be the Finance Minister if an RSP government was formed.