Devkota will be suspended, says Maoist Center chair Dahal

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the Maoist Center will suspend Gandaki Province Assembly member Fanindra Devkota.

Speaking to the media upon his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu from New Delhi on Monday evening, Dahal said the assembly member crossing the floor by defying the party whip and going against constitutional and legal norms will be suspended.

Devkota of Dr. Baburam Bhattarai-led Nepal Samajbadi Party (NSP) was elected to the Gandaki Province Assembly using the election symbol of the CPN (Maoist Center).

“As the assembly member has crossed the floor by defying the party whip, necessary action will be taken against him. He will be suspended,” Dahal said.

Gandaki Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey passed the floor test on Monday due to Devkota’s vote. Pandey secured 31 votes which is exactly the majority needed in the 60-member province assembly.

Devkota, meanwhile, has maintained that since he contested the election as a common candidate of the alliance of Nepali Congress (NC), Maoist Center, and NSP, among other parties, his decision to vote for an assembly member of NC should not be seen otherwise.