President Poudel to deliver Republic Day address at Tundikhel ceremony

Prime Minister Balendra Shah will not be addressing the special ceremony at Tundikhel on the upcoming Republic Day. Instead, he has requested President Ram Chandra Poudel to deliver the special address on that day, sending him a formal letter.

The decision for the President to address the Republic Day special ceremony was made during a Cabinet meeting, initiated by Prime Minister Shah. According to sources, Shah sent the letter to President Poudel with this decision, urging him to deliver the special address.

The letter to President Poudel recommends, “In accordance with Article 66, Clause 2 of the Constitution, it is recommended that you address the special ceremony organized at Tundikhel on Jestha 15, on the occasion of Republic Day.”

Article 66, Clause (2) of the Constitution states that except for actions specified to be performed on the recommendation of any body or official as per the Constitution or federal law, all other actions to be performed by the President shall be on the recommendation and consent of the Cabinet, presented through the Prime Minister.

Previously, Prime Minister Shah had informally communicated that since the President is the symbol of the republic, the address should be delivered through him. Chief Secretary Suman Raj Aryal from the Prime Minister’s Office had informed the President’s Office that Prime Minister Shah was reluctant to address the Republic Day ceremony.

With this, the tradition of the Prime Minister addressing the ceremony in the presence of the President seems set to end. A source from Singha Durbar noted, “Prime Minister Shah’s intention appears to be to have the special Republic Day address delivered through the President, recognizing him as the symbol of the republic.”