Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Janamat Party’s third attempt to dismiss its member of the House of Representatives, Goma Labh Sapkota, has also failed.
Sapkota is a proportionate representation (PR) member of the lower house. The party has been trying to remove her since February for not abiding by the party directives.
According to officials of the Federal Parliament Secretariat, the party has sent three dismissal letters so far. But the party’s actions have not been approved as they did not comply with the Political Parties Act, they added.
Janamat Party registered a letter of dismissal at the Federal Parliament Secretariat in the last week of July. However, the General Secretary of the Federal Parliament Secretariat, Padma Prasad Pandeya, has replied to the party that no new decision is needed, citing that Speaker Devraj Ghimire had previously rejected the action taken against Sapkota due to a lack of valid grounds.
The party first sent a letter to the Secretariat in March, stating that Sapkota had been expelled from the party. However, the Secretariat rejected the letter stating that the decision was written on the letterpad of the party, and not of the parliamentary party. After a few days, the parliamentary party of Janamat sent another letter to the Secretariat, stating that Sapkota had been expelled for not following party directives and that proper procedures, including asking for clarification and allowing for defense, had been followed.
However, Speaker Ghimire did not approve the action against Sapkota, stating it did not comply with the Political Parties Act. The Secretariat sent a letter to the party on February 20, stating that the “dismissal process was incomplete”.
Commenting on the party action, Sapkota told Himal Press that the decision of the Speaker and the Secretariat has sent a message that no one should be punished without making a mistake. She expressed disappointment that the party has repeatedly tried to take action even though she has not done anything wrong.
“It was uncomfortable when my dismissal letter reached Parliament,” she said. “However, the Parliament has made its decision.”
Janamat Party, however, is dissatisfied with the decision of Speaker Ghimire and the Parliament Secretariat. Party leaders say they will try to complete the process and take action against Sapkota again.
“The process was complete, but the Speaker decided otherwise,” said Janamat Party Chairperson Dr CK Raut. “Whatever was missing, we will make sure it is complete.”
