Kathmandu, Oct. 15 -- On Wednesday, a parliamentary committee dominated by the Rastriya Swatantra Party rejected two of the government's ambassadorial nominees.

The Parliamentary Hearing Committee rejected the nominations of Giribahadur Sunar, proposed as ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and Chudamani Kharel, proposed as ambassador to Malaysia. The panel deferred its decision on Jigyan Kumar Thapa, the nominee for Japan, pending further clarification over his potential conflict of interest.

The rejection has raised questions about the selection process and brought into focus purported tensions within the ruling party.

The committee has 15 members, eight of whom, including the chairperson, are from the ruling RSP. In the RSP-majority committ...