Anil Kumar Jha has resigned from the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP) Nepal. Jha, who had been inactive in party politics for a long time, submitted his resignation to party chair Mahantha Thakur via WhatsApp.
According to LSP General Secretary Surendra Kumar Jha, the resignation was accepted immediately. “He had been largely inactive in the party for quite some time. About a month ago, he sent his resignation to Chairman Thakur via WhatsApp, and it has already been approved,” he said.
Speaking to the media, Anil Kumar Jha confirmed, “Yes, I have left LSP.” However, though the resignation was submitted a month ago, the date mentioned in the letter corresponds to the previous year. Reports suggest that even while in LSP, Jha was attempting to revive the Nepal Sadbhavana Party. He has also been trying—unsuccessfully so far—to acquire the party’s registration along with its election symbol, the “palm.”
The Nepal Sadbhavana Party is currently registered under veteran leader Ram Kumar Mahato from Siraha. Although Jha registered the party under the same name with the Election Commission, claiming the position of chair, Mahato has accused him of trying to “abduct” the party and has filed a complaint—an ongoing legal dispute. Mahato has stated he has no intention of handing the party over to Jha. “He made several offers to take over the party, but how can I just give it away? I have refused. He keeps creating trouble,” Mahato said.
Meanwhile, only a month after being appointed party spokesperson, LSP General Secretary Manish Jha has been removed from the spokesperson role. This followed his remarks about Labor, Employment and Social Security Minister Sharad Singh Bhandari’s possible resignation.
Manish Jha had said, “As per the agreement, Sharad Singh Bhandari will now resign and return to party work, and a new face may join the government.” Following these comments, Chairman Thakur asked him to step down as spokesperson, though he remains General Secretary.
Sources say that despite earlier agreements for Bhandari to serve only one year before stepping down, there is now an understanding for him to remain minister throughout Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s term, while during Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s tenure, LSP will send a new representative to the cabinet.
About the Author
