Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, in his capacity as the chancellor of Kathmandu University, has asked KU Registrar Dr Bhola Thapa to work as the acting vice-chancellor after a search committee chaired by the education minister failed to recommend names for the top post.

A few days ago, the KU had written to the Education Ministry and the chancellor asking them to appoint at least an acting VC so that the university could function smoothly. Many financial and administrative functions of the institution were affected in the VC’s absence.

A letter dispatched from Dahal’s secretariat on Friday read that Dr Thapa will work as the acting VC until the search committee recommends a VC candidate. This leadership vacuum is unprecedented in the 25-year history of the KU. The term of VC Ram Kantha Makaju ended last Sunday.

Led by Education Minister Dhaniram Poudel, the search committee has Suresh Raj Sharma, former VC of the varsity, and Daman Nath Dhungana, chairperson of the KU Board of Trustees, as members. The chancellor will appoint the new VC on the recommendation of the Poudel-led committee.

The committee is yet to come up with a name as political bargaining further complicates the matter. The search committee is zeroing in on three names—Janardan Lamichhane, head of the Department of Biotechnology, Registrar Thapa, and Dr Makaju.

Lamichhane, who is believed to be close to CPN (Maoist Centre) leaders, is using his political clout to influence the decision in his favour, as wanted by Minister Poudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. However, Sharma and Dhungana have vehemently rejected the proposal arguing that appointing Lamichhane would institutionalise politics at the varsity.