Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has sparked controversy after stating that an Indian businessman had offered to help him secure the country’s top post. Prachanda made these remarks at a book launch event in Nepal, crediting entrepreneur Sardar Pritam Singh for his role in improving relations between Kathmandu and Delhi.
According to Prachanda, Singh had actively worked towards making him prime minister by traveling to Delhi multiple times and holding discussions with political leaders in Kathmandu. However, the opposition has condemned these statements, alleging political interference from India.
The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), the main opposition party, disrupted proceedings in the Upper House of Parliament, demanding Prachanda’s resignation. The party’s chairperson, KP Sharma Oli, emphasized that they were not seeking clarification but rather the prime minister’s resignation. Oli criticized Prachanda’s remarks, stating that they undermined national independence, dignity, the Constitution, and the Parliament itself.
As a result, a meeting of the Lower House of Parliament has been postponed. Prachanda is expected to provide clarification in Parliament on Friday afternoon to address the growing criticism.
Raghuji Pant, a lawmaker from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), expressed that Kathmandu does not require a prime minister appointed by Delhi, criticizing Prachanda’s remarks. Meanwhile, Nepali Congress General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma condemned the prime minister’s statements, deeming them incorrect.
However, the government spokesperson and Communication and IT Minister, Rekha Sharma, announced that Prachanda would not resign over his remarks. The Prime Minister’s secretariat issued a statement claiming that Prachanda’s comments had been misinterpreted and that there had been attempts to exploit them for political gain. The statement stressed that the matter had received serious attention.
This incident has raised concerns regarding potential Indian interference in Nepal’s internal affairs and has sparked a heated debate among political circles. Prachanda’s clarification in Parliament will likely provide further insight into the situation and address the mounting criticism.
