Kathmandu, November 4
Nepali Congress Senior Vice-President Bishwa Prakash Sharma has questioned the government’s recent activities, raising concerns over press freedom, political propriety and a series of controversial developments.
Speaking at a press conference organised by the party, Sharma criticised the government’s working style, saying that intimidating media organisations or harassing journalists was unacceptable in a democracy.
He described press freedom as a key measure of the health of democracy.
“Whether a country is democratic or not is determined by the extent of press freedom it enjoys. If the media are harassed in a democracy, it ceases to be a democracy,” he said.
Sharma also questioned why journalists were not wearing black armbands.
“Why is there no black armband on your hands?” he asked the journalists attending the press conference.
On questions raised about the Nepali Congress’s special general convention, Sharma argued that questioning the process after its completion amounted to disrespecting the court, the Election Commission and the convention delegates.
He also questioned the government’s priorities amid the ongoing political debate surrounding the convention.
“What should the government be doing at this time, and what is it actually doing? Is removing the IGP its priority right now?” he asked, suggesting that the government’s activities did not match the issues requiring its attention.
Commenting on developments at Singha Durbar and Baluwatar, Sharma accused the government of failing to respect the mandate given by voters.
“There is a spectacle going on at Singha Durbar and Baluwatar. The votes cast by the electorate are not being respected. Things are not being run properly,” he said.
Sharma said he wanted the government to remain in office for its full five-year term, while also questioning the relationship between the government and political parties amid the latest political developments.
He also raised serious questions about how information retrieved from the mobile phone of an alleged middleman, after it was seized, reached an adviser to the prime minister.
“After someone’s mobile phone was seized, why did the information from it reach the prime minister’s adviser? Under what norms is this acceptable? Is the Prime Minister’s Office a labour camp?” he asked.
Speaking about the audio controversy, Sharma claimed that the recordings made public were fabricated and deliberately orchestrated. He said the individuals involved in the episode would gradually be identified.
He stressed that the party was prepared to face investigations into any questions raised about its leadership, while insisting that all disputed matters should be investigated impartially and in accordance with the law.
“Whatever issues have been raised should be investigated through due legal procedures. Any questions concerning our legitimacy should be subjected to an independent, impartial and lawful investigation,” Sharma said.
