Satish Kumar Singh Photo: RSS
KATHMANDU: After the Gen Z movement escalated and protesters started targeting political leaders, Madhesh Province Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh announced his resignation on September 9. He made the announcement through his official Facebook page, stating that he was stepping down under the instruction of Janamat Party Chairperson Dr CK Raut.
“Being elected as a people’s representative through the trust and votes of the citizens has been the greatest honor of my life. But the current situation, in which we have failed to ensure the safety of citizens’ lives, has compelled me to take this decision with dignity,” Singh wrote. “With the unwavering belief that nothing is more important than the lives of citizens, and being accountable to the people’s rights and future, I resign from the post of Chief Minister of Madhesh Province.”
Raut’s secretariat repeatedly shared the message on social media. However, despite the announcement, Singh’s resignation letter has not yet reached the Office of the Province Chief. As per Article 169 (1) (A) of the Constitution, a Chief Minister must submit a written resignation to the Province Chief.
SatishThe Office of the Province Chief has said that it has not received Singh’s resignation. Province Chief Sumitra Devi Bhandari’s personal secretary, Tika Ram Upreti, told Himal Press that they too had only learned of the resignation from social media and the press.
“We have not received the Chief Minister’s resignation. Like everyone else, we only came to know through social media and the media,” Upreti said. “When a resignation comes, it is first registered in the office, then it reaches my desk at the private secretariat, and only then is it forwarded to the Province Chief. Since it has not come to me, there is no question of it reaching the Province Chief.”
Chief Minister Singh is now claiming that he has not resigned. He questioned why he should step down only to make room for someone else. “I announced my resignation to prevent looting and violence,” Singh said. “But vandalism and arson have already taken place. So why should I resign now? Why should I step down just to make someone else the Chief Minister?”
Even after declaring his resignation, on September 11, Singh again posted on his Facebook page, praising the Gen Z movement while also expressing sorrow over the damage caused to local, provincial and federal structures and heritage.
Since no formal resignation letter has been submitted, Singh remains the constitutional and legal Chief Minister of Madhesh Province. His announcement without formal action has drawn criticism. Observers have termed his decision immature and unbecoming of someone holding such high office.
Singh was appointed Chief Minister on June 8, with the support of seven parties, including the CPN-UML and the CPN (Maoist Center). Later, after a new coalition was formed at the federal level, the Maoist Center and CPN (Unified Socialist) withdrew their support, while the Nepali Congress joined the provincial coalition.
Chairman Raut had chosen Singh as Chief Minister by sidelining the Janamat Party’s provincial parliamentary leader Mahesh Prasad Yadav.
