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Nepal’s ruling party opposes Envoy nominee over conflict

KathmanduPati November 02, 2026

Kathmandu [Nepal], November 2 – Nepal’s ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has instructed its lawmakers on the Parliamentary Hearing Committee to reject the nomination of Jigyan Kumar Thapa as ambassador to Japan citing concerns over a possible conflict of interest.

The party issued a confidential circular to its committee members who hold a majority in the 15-member panel. A senior RSP source said party chair Rabi Lamichhane and Prime Minister Balendra Shah had agreed that Thapa’s nomination should not be approved.

The committee is scheduled to meet at 3 pm on Monday to decide on his nomination which was put on hold following a hearing on October 28.

Complaints against Thapa alleged that he had held permanent residency (PR) in Japan while his wife and sons continued to hold Japanese PR. Questions were also raised over property registered in his wife’s name and his previous employment with a Japanese government agency.

Thapa acknowledged the allegations during the hearing but said he had renounced his PR. However, concerns arose because he had not completed the required three-month period after renouncing it when nominated.

Japan has twice declined Nepal’s requests for further personal details, citing privacy restrictions.