Nepali Congress expels two members from parliamentary party

Kathmandu, Apr 26 (UNI) Nepali Congress (NC) today expelled two of its members from the parliamentary party, as political activitives picked up in the Himalayan kingdom ahead of reconvening of the sacked Parliament on Friday.

Party sources said Mr Prakash Koirala and Mr Narayan Singh Pun were expelled from the parliamentary party as they had joined the government set up by King Gyanendra after he took over executive power on February 1 last year.

Earlier today, the Speaker of Nepal's Pratinidhi Sabha, Mr Taranath Ranabhat resigned after the NC expressed doubts about his suitability for the post.

Mr Ranabhat submitted his resignation to Deputy Speaker Chitralekha Yadav who will succeed him as the Speaker.

At the party's meeting last night, lack of confidence in Mr Bhat was expressed charging him with being close to King Gyanendra, highly placed sources in the NC told UNI. However, no formal proposal was adopted, they added.

UNI VD VJ HT2010