Prakash Kafle/Kathmandu. The main opposition in the Sudurpashchim Provincial Assembly, Nepali Communist Party (NCP), has called for the immediate resignation of Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah. Speaking at a press conference in Dhangadhi on Thursday, parliamentary leader Khagaraj Bhatt criticized the chief minister for remaining in office even after a video surfaced showing him allegedly demanding a bribe from a government official.
Bhatt questioned the ethics of the chief minister, saying, “Officials or ministers implicated in wrongdoing must be held accountable immediately. Yet, the chief minister continues in office despite clear evidence, which is unacceptable. He must resign on moral grounds.”
According to Bhatt, the chief minister’s insistence on being investigated instead of addressing the bribe allegations amounts to misuse of power and a failure of responsibility.
Bhatt further accused the Shah-led government of ignoring public service, saying that years after declaring the provincial capital, the administration has focused more on corruption than delivering results.
He warned that the opposition would strongly protest if the provincial assembly is convened.
The controversy began with sensational claims by Division Forest Officer Krishnadatt Bhatt, who alleged that Chief Minister Shah demanded NPR 500,000 in bribes and transferred him when the money could not be provided.
Chief Minister Shah, however, rejected the allegations, calling them “baseless and misleading.” He warned that the accusing officials, Krishna Bhatt and Ramchandra Kandel, have a controversial history and would face investigation and disciplinary action.
The Sudurpashchim Provincial Assembly has 53 members. The Nepali Communist Party (NCP), with 21 members, is the largest party. Following the opposition’s demand for resignation, the Congress-led government is under increasing pressure.
घुस मागेको आरोप देखाउने भिडियो सार्वजनिक भएपछि प्रतिपक्षीले मुख्यमन्त्रीको राजीनामा माग!
