Kathmandu, May 26 — The Nepali Congress is facing internal conflicts after a significant raid took place at the Tribhuvan International Airport’s Immigration Office last week. This operation has implicated prominent figures and raised questions about Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.
While the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) examines claims of visa tampering, one group within the governing party calls for Lekhak’s resignation based on ethical concerns. Meanwhile, supporters inside the party leadership, along with established figures, defend him, highlighting an emerging divide among top officials.
The dispute arose following a search conducted by the CIAA, an organization established for combating corruption under the constitution, at the TIA Immigration Office on May 22, due to allegations regarding the misuse of visitor visas. Throughout this operation, the CIAA apprehended Tirtharaj Bhattarai, who held the positions of Joint Secretary and head of Immigration, as well as confiscated crucial paperwork.
After Bhattarai was arrested, the CIAA also started looking into the activities of personnel from the home minister’s office, which brings up questions regarding the home minister’s ethical accountability in this matter.
Bhattarai was handed over to the CIAA’s custody one day following his transfer from the airport to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The anti-corruption agency asserts they have discovered proof suggesting that people were dispatched overseas using visitor visas as part of a scheme involving substantial payments made in collaboration with Bhattarai.
The transfer of Bhattarai to the home ministry, occurring during his ongoing CIAA investigation, has intensified speculations about potential involvement from high-ranking officials in the scandal.
The agency has not made any public statements regarding its current investigation, yet certain media outlets, referencing anonymous sources within the CIAA, claim that staff members from Lekhak’s office may also be involved.
As a result, the opposing Rastriya Swatantra Party has formally called for Minister Lekhak’s resignation. Nonetheless, divisions have surfaced within the Congress; the pro-establishment wing aims to protect Lekhak, but the faction headed by Shekhar Koirala argues that he must resign to allow for an unbiased inquiry. Lekhak aligns with the establishment group overseen by party chairman Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Koirala has called for Home Minister Lekhak to step down due to ethical reasons. At the Biratnagar airport on Saturday, addressing reporters, Koirala stated that Lekhak ought to relinquish his position to enable a thorough and impartial inquiry into the corruption allegations associated with the Department of Immigration.
He referred to previous cases where ministers stepped down to allow for a impartial inquiry, driven by ethical obligations.
“As accusations have emerged against the home minister, he ought to step down for ethical reasons and permit the inquiry to continue. Ultimately, the home ministry comes under his purview,” Koirala said.
In a similar vein, Rajendra Bajagain, a lawmaker from the Congress party, sent a communication to party leader Deuba through Shyam Kumar Ghimire, who serves as the party’s chief whip. The letter called for the recall of Lekhak from his governmental position.
Leaders from the dissenting wing of the Congress party also voice their support for Lekhak’s resignation.
Chandra Kanta Bhandari, a dissenting politician and member of parliament, stated that regardless of Lekhak’s direct involvement, if individuals subordinate to him are being scrutinized, then the leadership ought to facilitate a thorough and impartial inquiry.
With demands for Lekhak’s resignation growing stronger from the opposing side of the party, several leaders within the establishment camp have stepped forward to support him.
At a press conference held in Biratnagar on Sunday, senior Congress figure Krishna Prasad Sitaula stated that calling for the home minister’s resignation due to errors made by junior officials was unjustified.
“If he had been explicitly accused, the situation would have changed. However, the home minister shouldn’t step down based on ethical considerations for errors committed by others,” Sitaula contended.
Since the CIAA is already looking into it, it would be prudent to await the conclusion of their investigation, Sitaula advised.
Previously, when Nepal Communist Party (NCP) leader and former communication minister Gokul Baskota faced allegations related to a Rs700 crore corruption scandal, he chose to resign based on ethical considerations. Likewise, CPN (Maoist Centre) member and ex-finance minister Janardan Sharma tendered his resignation following accusations that he modified budget allocations for personal gain. Both instances led to their direct implication in wrongdoing, prompting them to step aside to allow investigations to proceed smoothly.
When reflecting on his resignation, Baskota mentioned that ethical concerns are significant matters for individuals in public positions.
“In 2020, when doubts were raised about me, I stepped down from my role as a minister because my principles dictated that I should,” Baskota shared with the Post.
At the same time, a closed-door meeting of the ruling coalition member CPN-UML was conducted at their office in Chyasal on Sunday. The gathering concluded that Home Minister Lekhak does not have to step down. Following the session, Party General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel stated that distinct entities handle investigations.
Pokharel stated that specific agencies have been assigned to handle prosecution and investigations regarding these issues. He emphasized that neither traditional news outlets nor social media platforms possess the authority to conduct prosecutions or inquiries,
Previously, Minister for Information Technology and Communication Prithvi Subba Gurung, who serves as both the deputy general secretary of the party and the government spokesperson, mentioned that Home Minister Lekhak should not step down due to errors made by his staff members.
As stated by Min Bahadur Bishwakarma, who leads the Congress’ publicity wing, Lekhak is prepared to resign if required by the investigation process. Nevertheless, according to Bishwakarma, the party has not contemplated recalling him yet.
Bishwakarma similarly rejected Koirala’s request. He stated, “Koirala calling for Lekhak’s resignation is just an old trick. His constant criticism of the administration aims at causing this alliance to disintegrate.”
Uddhab Pyakurel, who teaches sociology at Kathmandu University, said that no hasty conclusions should be drawn. Pyakurel further says that as Lekhak has vowed to answer all questions in Parliament on Tuesday, the public and the party should first hear him out.
If evidence of misconduct emerges during the inquiry, he ought to resign to guarantee an impartial investigation,” Pyakurel stated. “However, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions prematurely and should wait for his statement on Tuesday instead.
At a press conference on May 24, Lekhak defended his position by stating, “The Ministry of Home Affairs is an extensive organization employing thousands of individuals. Anytime, a constitutional entity or appropriate authority might launch an inquiry into any staff member. Should every minister step down if just one employee faces scrutiny? Do we wish to set such a precedent? …Has this occurred previously?”
The Congress Deputy Chairman Purna Bahadur Khadka concurs with Pyakurel, stating that it would be prudent to initially hear what Home Minister Lekhak has to say.
The Congress has scheduled a gathering of office holders for Monday to address the matter at hand, along with reviewing the national budget and keeping abreast of other political updates.
