Nepali Congress Protests Demanding Probe into Home Minister Lamichhane

Nepali Congress Protests Demanding Probe into Home Minister Lamichhane/ANI

Dil Bar Irshad | May 26, 2024 | 11:14 PM IST | Nepal, Politics, World | Follow on Google News

Nepali Congress Protests Demanding Probe into Home Minister Lamichhane

Nepali Congress Protests Demanding Probe into Home Minister Lamichhane

Key Highlights:

1. Nepali Congress demands parliamentary investigation into Home Minister Lamichhane.
2. Protests erupt in Kathmandu ahead of budget announcement for fiscal year 2024-25.
3. Opposition obstructs parliamentary sessions, calling for action on cooperative fraud.

Building pressure from all fronts, the Nepali Congress has launched a full-fledged protest from parliament to the streets, demanding an investigation into Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane. This comes ahead of the Budget announcement for the upcoming fiscal year 2024-25, scheduled for Tuesday, May 28. The party is calling for a parliamentary committee to probe the misappropriation of cooperative funds involving Lamichhane.

On Sunday, hundreds of opposition cadres from the Kathmandu Valley protested in Kathmandu, demanding action against individuals involved in embezzling cooperative funds. Protesters, including Nepali Congress leaders and cadres, marched from various locations, chanting slogans and calling for Lamichhane’s resignation.

“We will continue the protest until and unless the Home Minister resigns,” said Goma Baral, a protesting cadre. The opposition also obstructed the parliamentary session, demanding a thorough investigation.

Home Minister Lamichhane has been accused of embezzling large funds from a cooperative when he was the managing director of Gorkha Media. During the protest, opposition lawmakers picketed the well of the House of Representatives, disrupting the budget session that began on May 10. Despite their protests, the session proceeded with marshals escorting Finance Minister Barshaman Pun to present the Economic Survey of Fiscal Year 2023/24.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed confidence in resolving the parliamentary deadlock by Monday, ahead of the budget announcement. He mentioned ongoing talks with opposition leaders to reach an agreement.

Lamichhane has denied the allegations, claiming ignorance of the fraud. However, evidence of his involvement has emerged, and investigations are ongoing. The Home Minister has also been accused of misusing his authority to influence police investigations and the Office of the Attorney General.

The protests and political tension highlight the broader issues of corruption and accountability within Nepal’s political system.

(Inputs from CNN)

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.