By Our Reporter

After a big bargaining and several ups and downs lasting for about two months, the government has finally appointed Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel as the new governor of Nepal Rastra Bank. A Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday evening appointed Dr. Poudel to the post as demanded by ruling coalition Nepali Congress.

Earlier on Tuesday, a three-member recommendation committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bishnu Paudel had shortlisted three candidates for the post of governor.

Among them, Dr Bishwo Nath Poudel has been appointed to lead the central bank.

The two other candidates recommended by the committee were Neelam Dhungana, Acting Governor of the Nepal Rastra Bank and former secretary Dr Dinesh Bhattarai.

Prior to the appointment on Tuesday, an extensive discussion was held between Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba. The meeting also attended by Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak reached a consensus and the appointment process was forwarded.

Following the political consensus, the recommendation committee—chaired by the Finance Minister—convened and forwarded the names of three shortlisted candidates to the Council of Ministers.

 The government had been facing mounting criticism over the delay in appointing a new governor. The position had remained vacant since April 5, when former governor Maha Prasad Adhikari retired.

Although several names had been speculated for the role, Dr. Poudel ultimately emerged as the chosen candidate. A resident of Chitwan, Dr Poudel had previously contested the 2022 parliamentary elections from Chitwan Constituency No. 1 as a Nepali Congress candidate and finished in third place.

Dr. Paudel also served as the Vice-Chairperson of the National Planning Commission.