KATHMANDU: The political landscape in Nepal has intensified following the Cabinet’s decision to remove Kulman Ghising as Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), replacing him with Hitendra Dev Shakya.

The move has sparked outrage, even within the ruling Nepali Congress (NC). Party spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat expressed dissatisfaction, revealing that the decision to remove Ghising had previously been put on hold.

“We were under the impression that the plan to remove Kulman had been stopped,” Mahat said. “There was no discussion within the party—nothing at all.”

General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma also condemned the decision, warning that the government was taking a misguided approach. Even Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak reportedly opposed the move during the Cabinet meeting.

However, according to a minister, the dismissal was backed by Energy Minister Deepak Khadka and Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, both from the Nepali Congress.

The decision has also drawn sharp criticism from Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ who swiftly issued a statement condemning the removal.

“My government appointed Kulman Ghising as NEA’s Managing Director at a time when the country was suffering from severe load shedding,” Prachanda wrote on social media. “His expertise, combined with our leadership, helped build a brighter Nepal. The government’s decision to remove him is completely unjustified and unacceptable. I strongly condemn this move, which reeks of arrogance fueled by a two-thirds majority.”

Opposition leader Rajendra Lingden, chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, also slammed the government, calling the decision a grave mistake.

“This administration is acting as if it has absolute authority to remove or retain officials at will. This is a blatant misuse of power,” Lingden said, vowing to challenge the decision in Parliament.

Meanwhile, Kulman Ghising has announced plans to take legal action against the government.

With discontent brewing within the ruling party and mounting pressure from the opposition, the issue is expected to fuel further political turmoil. The matter is now poised to be debated both in Parliament and in the courts in the coming weeks.