Amidst the cycle of power changes in Koshi, influential Congress leader Pradeep Kumar Sunuwar has become a minister four times.
What you should know
Influential Nepali Congress leader Pradeep Kumar Sunuwar has been reappointed as a minister in the reshuffle in Koshi Province on Tuesday. Despite the power equation changing many times in Koshi, where the Chief Minister has changed for the sixth time in the second term of the Provincial Assembly, Sunuwar has always been seen around the government.
He became the Minister of Physical Infrastructure Development in the cabinet formed on Tuesday.
In the second term of the provincial assembly, current Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki has become Chief Minister three times, Congress's Uddhav Thapa twice, and Congress's Kedar Karki once. Amidst this cycle of power changes, Sunuwar has become a minister four times.
Sunuwar first became a minister on Ashad 22, 2080, when Uddhav Thapa was the Chief Minister. That term was limited to Ashad 22 to Shrawan 17. At that time, Kamal Prasad Javegu of the Unified Socialist Party and Sunuwar were made ministers on the condition that they would be assigned ministries later. However, the government collapsed without finalizing the ministries.
Thapa, who was relieved of his post within 22 days following the Supreme Court order, became Chief Minister again after 6 days, and Sunuwar's face brightened again. Thapa is also a leader who has set a rare record of becoming Chief Minister twice in the same month. Thapa's first term did not even meet the 30-day constitutional deadline for a vote of confidence.
UML parliamentary party leader Hikmat Kumar Karki had filed a case in the Supreme Court alleging that the claim was submitted to the provincial chief based on the signature of Speaker Baburam Gautam's separate support. The Supreme Court had given a final order in the same case and dismissed Thapa's appointment as Chief Minister.
For the second time, Thapa became Chief Minister with the support of 47 MPs after forcing Speaker Baburam Gautam to resign. He became Chief Minister again with the support of 29 MPs from the Congress, 13 from the Maoist Center, 4 from the CPN-Unified Socialist Party, and 1 from the JSP. Despite his short tenure from 17th Shrawan 2080 to 22nd Bhadra, Sunuwar's responsibilities did not change. For the second time, he became the Minister of Drinking Water, Irrigation, and Energy.
After Kedar Karki of the Congress became Chief Minister for the third time, Sunuwar became a minister again on 26th Magh 2080. At that time, he was given the responsibility of the Health Ministry. Congress leaders say that he was given continuity in the name of power sharing, factional balance, and experience.
Sunuwar has become the Minister of Physical Infrastructure Development for the fourth time in the government led by Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki. A Congress leader said, ‘Sunuwar was not able to work after the previous government collapsed within a few days or months, so he has been given another opportunity.’
Who is Pradeep Sunuwar?
Pradeep Kumar Sunuwar is a central member of the Nepali Congress and an influential leader in Koshi Province. He is known as a close leader of the establishment party of the Congress, that is, President Sher Bahadur Deuba. He is established in Koshi politics as a leader with the image of being able to balance both the organization and the power level.
Sunuwar was elected to the Provincial Assembly from Okhaldhunga Constituency No. 1 (1). Congress leaders admit that he remains within the circle of power no matter how many times the government changes, as he is considered a ‘safe option’ due to his experience within the party, access to the center, and cooperation with the power.
However, the Congress leadership seems oblivious to the fact that this continuity has also raised the question that the power structure of Koshi Province is revolving around a few limited faces and factions.
