Constitutional Council Complete After Nepali Congress Names Leader

Kathmandu. The Constitutional Council has been completed after the main opposition party Nepali Congress nominated Bhishma Raj Angdembe as its parliamentary party leader. Congress nominated Angdembe as the party leader on Monday, Baishakh 14, a month and a half after the general elections. The Constitutional Council has been completed after the main opposition party nominated its leader.

This also opens the way for constitutional appointments, including the Chief Justice. Due to the delay by Congress in nominating its leader, the Constitutional Council meeting could not be held. As a result, the Chief Justice could not be appointed. Currently, Sapana Pradhan is in the role of Acting Chief Justice.

According to Article 284 of the Constitution, the Prime Minister chairs the Constitutional Council, with the Chief Justice, Speaker, Chairperson of the National Assembly, Leader of the Opposition, and Deputy Speaker as members.

The name of the new Chief Justice will be recommended in the upcoming Constitutional Council meeting. The Constitution stipulates that the President will appoint the Chief Justice after the proposed name is approved by a two-thirds majority of the Parliamentary Hearing Committee. The meeting of the council will include Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Speaker DP Aryal, Chief Justice, and from the opposition side, National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Dahal, Deputy Speaker Ruby Thakur, and Leader of the Opposition Bhishma Angdembe. However, the law minister's participation is arranged for the first meeting of the council.