UML lawmaker Thapa's resignation accepted, three seats now vacant in Sudurpashchim assembly

The resignation of CPN-UML lawmaker and former minister Bir Bahadur Thapa from the Sudurpashchim Provincial Assembly has been accepted.

Speaker Bhim Bahadur Bhandari accepted his resignation. Thapa had stepped down immediately after the provincial assembly passed the budget last Tuesday, saying he was leaving the post because his constituency had not received adequate development plans in the budget and because he was dissatisfied with the process of preparing and passing it. The resignation was accepted three days after he submitted it.

Thapa was directly elected from Provincial Assembly Constituency 1 of Kanchanpur 1, and had previously served as a minister in the provincial government. With this resignation, the number of UML lawmakers in the assembly has dropped from 11 to 10.

Three seats are now vacant in the 53-member provincial assembly. Independent lawmaker Tara Joshi, who had won from Provincial Assembly Constituency 2 of Dadeldhura 1, had already resigned earlier after being elected to the House of Representatives from the Rastriya Swatantra Party. The seat for Provincial Assembly Constituency 2 of Kailali 5 has also been vacant for some time.

Under the constitution, a provincial assembly seat falls vacant once a member resigns. The Speaker will inform the assembly of Thapa's resignation at its next meeting.