CPN (UML) provincial assembly member Birbahadur Thapa has resigned from the Sudurpaschim Provincial Assembly, citing dissatisfaction with the provincial government’s budget and objecting to its being passed hastily in a UML parliamentary party meeting. Thapa, elected from Kanchanpur and a former minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives, submitted his resignation letter to Speaker Bhimbahadur Bhandari. Bhandari confirmed that he had received the letter.
The resignation puts Thapa’s disagreement with the budget process at the centre of the political development. Reports say he was dissatisfied with the budget introduced by the provincial government and had objected to the speed with which it was passed during a meeting of the UML parliamentary party. The available information does not specify the details of the budget provisions he opposed or what changes, if any, he sought.
Resignation submitted to the Speaker
Thapa addressed his resignation to Speaker Bhandari, who confirmed receipt of the letter. His decision is therefore a formal step to leave his position as a provincial assembly member, rather than only a statement of disagreement with the budget. The reports do not provide further details about the wording of the letter, the date on which it takes effect, or any subsequent action by the Speaker or the assembly.
The resignation was reported by Nepali media outlets, including Nepal Press and Ratopati. Both accounts identify Bhandari as the recipient of the resignation letter, with the Speaker confirming that it had reached him.
Dispute over the budget process
The stated reason for Thapa’s decision is his dissatisfaction with the provincial government’s budget. His objection reportedly focused not only on the budget itself but also on the manner in which it was dealt with inside the UML parliamentary party. He objected to the budget being passed hastily at a party meeting, according to the reports.
That distinction is important to understanding the issue described in the reports. The objection concerned the budget introduced by the provincial government and its handling in a UML party meeting. The available accounts do not establish that the provincial assembly had formally passed the budget, nor do they provide a detailed account of the meeting or the decision-making process. They also do not identify which budgetary measures prompted Thapa’s dissatisfaction.
The reports do not include a response from the provincial government or from the UML parliamentary party addressing Thapa’s criticism. They likewise do not say whether the party attempted to resolve the disagreement before he submitted his resignation. No further explanation from Thapa beyond the stated objection to the budget and the speed of its handling has been provided in the information available.
Thapa’s role in Sudurpaschim
Thapa represents Kanchanpur in the Sudurpaschim Provincial Assembly and previously served as Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives. His resignation means he is stepping away from the assembly position he held as a CPN (UML) member. The reports identify his former ministerial role and constituency but provide no additional information about his plans after resigning.
The immediate development is the submission of the letter and the Speaker’s confirmation that he received it. The reports do not state whether the assembly has completed any formal process following that submission, whether a replacement will be selected, or how the resignation may affect the party’s representation. Those questions remain separate from the reason Thapa gave: dissatisfaction with the government’s budget and objection to what he considered a rushed process in the UML parliamentary party meeting.
