Kathmandu, November 4
The Nepali Congress has rejected attempts to question the legitimacy of its special general convention and 15th general convention, describing them as a conspiracy and a deliberate disinformation campaign. The party has also demanded an independent, impartial, lawful and credible investigation into all allegations raised over the conventions.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, General Secretary Pradeep Paudel said the conventions had been held through democratic processes in accordance with the Constitution, prevailing laws and the party statute.
“Such disinformation, carried out through a series of conspiracies against conventions held through democratic processes in accordance with the Constitution of Nepal, prevailing laws and the party statute, cannot undermine the trust of ordinary Nepali Congress members and millions of well-wishers,” the statement said.
The party alleged that a sustained conspiracy was under way against the conventions and called for an end to what it described as a “rule of fear and confusion”. It claimed that baseless and fabricated allegations were being used to create an artificial narrative against the party and its leadership.
“We are clear that these baseless and fabricated issues have been manufactured to create an artificial narrative against the Nepali Congress and its leadership, and through a conspiracy aimed at suppressing questions and voices from the opposition,” Paudel said.
The party also urged its members not to fall for what it described as attempts by government-backed groups to divert attention from their own mistakes. It called on the party rank and file to remain committed to public concerns, the rule of law and civil liberties while continuing to question the government’s actions through opposition oversight.
The party’s special meeting, held at its central office in Sanepa on Wednesday, also called for an independent, impartial, lawful and credible investigation into the allegations concerning the conventions’ legitimacy.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Senior Vice-President Bishwa Prakash Sharma said the party was seeking an investigation into all incidents and allegations surrounding the issue.
“We want the country and the government to hear this. We want this message to reach people through the media and social media, including our supporters and critics. The Nepali Congress demands an independent, impartial, lawful and credible investigation into the allegations made against it regarding its legitimacy and the claims being deliberately circulated,” Sharma said.
He said the party was prepared to face every question raised about it and its leadership and was ready for any form of investigation.
Sharma also said the Congress was prepared to expose what it described as conspiracies, adding that those involved were gradually being identified and would continue to come to light.
“The so-called audio statements and publicity surrounding the allegations about our legitimacy are baseless, fabricated and deliberate,” he said. “The purpose, malice and individuals behind this conspiracy are gradually being exposed and will continue to emerge.”
Sharma also questioned media reports that the mobile phone of middleman Inam Sapkota, who is in police custody, had reached Kumar Ben, an adviser to Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
“After the police had seized the mobile phone of a middleman, reports said it reached the Prime Minister’s adviser. Why did it reach there? What happened during that period? What evidence needed to be erased? Under what law, procedure or standards of conduct was this investigation carried out?” Sharma asked.
He also objected to the removal of officials involved in the Sunkoshi Marin Diversion project amid a dispute over a contract.
“Officials involved in the Sunkoshi Marin Diversion contract issue were removed. Our opposition leader has asked whether the Prime Minister’s Office has been turned into a labour camp, as if it were a place of torture. Is the Prime Minister’s Office a labour camp?” Sharma said, adding that the Congress was taking the matter very seriously.
The Congress’s demand for an investigation comes amid wider questions raised by opposition leaders over the government’s handling of the Inam Sapkota case, reports about the movement of his seized phone and the treatment of officials involved in the Sunkoshi Marin Diversion project.
