KATHMANDU, AUGUST 12

Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala and CPN-UML KP Sharma Oli, who addressed two separate programmes today, accused the Pushpa Kamal Dahal government of starting the politics of revenge against political leaders who are critical of the government's policies and actions.

Both leaders flayed the government for arresting Nepali Congress lawmaker Sunil Sharma. Addressing a programme in Bhaktapur today, Koirala said the fact that Sharma was arrested after demanding resignation of Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat reflected the government's witch-hunt against those that disagreed with the government's policies and actions.

The politics of revenge is a dangerous thing because it harms individuals, political parties and ultimately the country, Koirala added.

Koirala said the reason for transferring Navaraj Dhungana who had worked as personal secretary to Dahal in the past to the Inland Revenue Department almost a week before one quintal gold was seized from Tribhuvan International Airport, was unknown.

Koirala said that every year 400- 500 tonnes of gold was smuggled into India and there was reason to believe that gold was being smuggled to India.

Koirala said his party had opposed then prime minister KP Sharma Oli's decision to bring the Department of Revenue Investigation, Department of Money Laundering Investigation and National Investigation Department under the PMO as wrong, but it was unfortunate that when NC President Deuba led the government, these departments were still under the PMO and they continue to be under the PMO now when Dahal is leading the government.

When Oli's government had brought these agencies under the PMO, the NC criticised the government saying it was an attempt to concentrate state power under the PMO, which was bad for democracy.

Meanwhile, CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli said arresting an individual might look like a minor thing but such politics of revenge could lead to Pakistan-like situation.

Addressing a programme organised here today, Oli said a handful of people who played no role in heralding democracy were acting against the democratic system.

When the government arrests one person, it looks like a minor thing but in fact it is a serious thing, Oli said. He said he warned the prime minister not to go the Pakistan way taking revenge on political opponents. 'The prime minister is taking sadistic pleasure in his witch-hunt politics, but it will not end here. It is just the beginning,' he said and added, 'I want to warn the government not to act in autocratic manner.' Oli said if Sharma had obtained fake academic certificate, why did the government not take action against him last year when the issue was raised. He said the government arrested Sharma after he raised his voice in the gold smuggling case.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala also criticised the government for its handling of the gold smuggling case. India imports up to nine tonnes gold every year.

A version of this article appears in the print on August 13, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.