Kathmandu, October 24
When lawmakers from the main opposition CPN-UML and the ruling CPN-Maoist Centre tabled an impeachment motion against CIAA Chief Commissioner Lokman Singh Karki, Centre leader Narayankaji Shrestha was in China. After returning from the northern neighbour upon completion of his weeklong visit, Shrestha is now doing his bit to make sure that the Parliament passes the motion.
As part of efforts to impeach CIAA Chief Karki, Shrestha is holding talks with Nepali Congress and UML leaders. Even when he was in China, he had called up party Chair and Prime Minister Prachanda and asked the latter to stand in favour of the motion and do every bit to ensure that the House impeaches Karki.
In course of conversation with Onlinekhabar, Shrestha said his party will not backtrack from the impeachment motion, no matter what. When pointed that his party has not taken ownership of the motion, Shrestha said the party has stood as one in favour of the motion under party Chair Prachanda and is taking initiatives to ensure that the House passes the motion.
We believe the Congress will stand against anarchy by supporting impeachment. I ask Congress to put its dilemma aside and support the motion
When pointed that the ruling coalition partner Nepali Congress has not yet taken a decision on the motion and that there are doubts about his party’s stance vis-a-vis the motion, Shrestha said they do not think the Congress will stand against the motion. We believe that the Congress will stand against anarchy by supporting impeachment. At the same time, I ask Congress to put its dilemma aside and support the motion.
Shrestha, when pointed that leaders like Bimalendra Nidhi, who leads the NC in the Maoist-led government, has taken the motion as part of the UML’s plot to topple the current coalition, said the motion has nothing to do with the future of the current ruling coalition. He said the Maoist party is in favour of giving continuity to the current ruling coalition. Shrestha said the ruling coalition will remain intact unless and until the Nepali Congress breaches understanding reached with the Maoist party or takes some new step at the expense of the coalition.
Asked if it was the Maoist party and not the UML that was behind the impeachment motion, Shrestha noted that it was he, who had stood against the appointment of Lokman Singh Karki as CIAA chief. Shrestha said he had been protesting against Lokman’s appointment ever since. Given this fact, we too are also a driving force behind the impeachment motion, Shrestha said, noting that Dr Govinda KC has also been standing against Lokman.
At this time, there’s no need to discuss as to who brought forth the impeachment motion, Shrestha said.
