Miscellaneous
Manange lays claim to state legislature seat
Crime boss turned politician Rajeev Gurung, better known as Deepak Manange, has filed an application at Gandaki Province, demanding he be allowed to take oath as a provincial assembly member.Lal Prasad Sharma
Crime boss turned politician Rajeev Gurung, better known as Deepak Manange, has filed an application at Gandaki Province, demanding he be allowed to take oath as a provincial assembly member.
Manange was elected to the state legislature of Gandaki Province as an independent candidate from Manang (B) in the 2017 provincial election. But his election victory was short-lived after police issued an arrest warrant against him in an attempted murder case.
Police arrested him from the Capital in April and was taken in Dillibazaar Prison.
On December 20, the Supreme Court released him on bail. Manange is now after that seat in the provincial assembly that he believes is rightfully his.
Shambhu Prasad Khadka, secretary at the provincial assembly secretariat, said that Manange filed his application along with a copy of election certificate issued by the Election Commission on Thursday.
“It’s too soon to say whether his application will be accepted. There should be a serious discussion on the matter,” said Khadka.
Manange had reached the provincial assembly secretariat along with his aides.
Speaker Netranath Adhikari said as per the constitutional provision, a person charged of criminal offence cannot be the member of the legislative body.
“I told him that the decision will be taken as per the constitutional and legal provision,” said Speaker Adhikari.
Manange’s claim to the seat in the state legislature is expected to be discussed at the provincial assembly secretariat on Friday.
After Manange had filed his application, Speaker Adhikari had also sought legal counsel of Chief Attorney Rajendra Ghimire.
“There is no definitive answer right now. The matter should be decided by the provincial assembly secretariat,” he said.