2078: A year in review

KATHMANDU, April 13: Nepal is all set to bid farewell to the year 2078 BS and welcome a fresh new year 2079 BS. Amid the political turmoil, COVID-19 pandemic, some of the worst natural disasters and economic crisis, the year 2078 BS is coming to an end on Wednesday. Here are some of the major happenings of the year in review: Oli loses trust vote in parliament The then Prime Minister KP Oli failed to win a confidence motion in the House of Representatives on May 10.  Prime Minister Oli garnered only 93 votes, which fell short of 43 votes to secure the required majority of at least 146 votes.  Similarly, a total of 124 lawmakers voted against him while 15 other  lawmakers opted to remain neutral during Monday’s voting process. As many as 27 lawmakers were absent.  KP Oli reappointed as Prime Minister three days after he lost trust motion Three days after losing the trust motion from the House of Representatives (HoR), parliamentary party leader of CPN-UML, KP Sharma Oli was appointed as Prime Minister on May 13.  President Bidya Devi Bhandari appointed Oli as the prime minister as opposition parties could not stake their claim for the formation of a new government within the stipulated time frame. Oli was appointed to the post in his capacity as the parliamentary party leader of the largest party in parliament as per Article 76 (3) of the Constitution of Nepal.  Nepal parliament dissolved again President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved the House of Representatives (HoR) at the recommendation of the Council of Ministers on May 22.  President Bhandari dissolved the lower house of parliament as per Article 76 (7) and announced fresh parliamentary elections for November 12 and 19  upon the recommendation of the Cabinet. SC restores House of Representatives The Supreme Court reinstated the House of Representatives (HoR) on July 12.  A constitutional bench headed by Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana  issued an order that the lower House of parliament be restored.  President Bidya Devi Bhandari, on May 22, dissolved the House at the recommendation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli-led Cabinet.  As many as 26 writ petitions, including one by Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, were filed against the dissolution.  NC Prez Deuba appointed PM President of Nepali Congress (NC) Sher Bahadur Deuba appointed the prime minister on July 13.  President Bidya Devi Bhandari appointed Deuba the prime minister as per Article 76 (5) as ordered by the Supreme Court.  Devastating flood and landslide hit Melamchi Melamchi Municipality and Helambu Rural Municipality witnessed devastating floods and landslides on June 15.  Dozens were killed, hundreds went missing and thousands were displaced.  Houses, bridges and roads were swept away.  UML splits, Madhav Nepal-led UML (Samajbadi) formed CPN-UML split into two as the party's senior leader and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal formed a new party called CPN-UML (Samajbadi) on August 18.  Nepal witnessed ‘Government Shutdown’ Nepal in September faced a situation of government shutdown , probably for the first time in history, being unable to spend money from the government treasury. The ‘Budget Holiday’ ended after the President Bidya Devi Bhandari authenticated the Budget ( Appropriation Bill, 2078). Political parties hold their general conventions  The 14th General Convention of Nepali Congress was held in the federal capital on December 10. The Tenth General Convention of the main opposition CPN-UML was held on the banks of the Narayani River in Chitwan on November 26. The CPN (Maoist Center) held a three-day long national conference in Kathmandu beginning on December 26. Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) held its National Congress on December 1.  Sher Bahadur Deuba was elected President of NC, KP Oli was elected Chairman of CPN-UML and Pushpa Kamal Dahal was elected Chairman of CPN-Maoist Center. Likewise, Rajendra Lindgen defeated Kamal Thapa and was elected Chairman of RPP. Impeachment motion registered against CJ Rana An impeachment motion was registered against the Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana on February 13.  As many as 98 lawmakers including lawmakers of ruling Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Center) and CPN (Unified Socialist) registered the motion at the parliament secretariat.  CJ Rana has been accused of defaming the Judiciary and exercising the position for his personal interests. Govt ratifies MCC Compact with ‘interpretive declaration’ The government of Nepal ratified the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)-Nepal Compact on February 27.  A meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) ratified the compact with a one-third majority. Article 279 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal states that if any treaty or agreement is of an ordinary nature, which does not affect the nation extensively, seriously or in the long term, the ratification of, accession to, acceptance of, or approval of, such treaty or agreement may be made by a simple majority of the members present in a meeting of the House of Representatives. With the ‘interpretative declaration,’ the ruling alliance reached an agreement to ratify the compact. Governor Adhikari suspended A Cabinet meeting held on April 8 took a decision to form a probe committee to investigate Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari on the charge of leaking sensitive information about the government’s decisions and not fulfilling his responsibilities effectively.  With this, Adhikari has been automatically suspended from the post.