Hetauda, March 1

Senior Nepali Congress leader Ramchandra Paudel today said policy-level and institutional corruption had escalated in the country.

Speaking at a press meet organised by Nepal Press Union, Makawanpur, in Hetauda, Poudel warned that his party would launch a series of agitation against policy-level and institutional corruption.

Paudel condemned Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli for his attempt to shield former minister of information and communications Gokul Prasad Baskota in the Rs 700 million commission scam. He alleged that the government had tried to unleash anarchy through various scams and scandals.

On a different note, NC leader Paudel accused party president Sher Bahadur Deuba of breaching the party statute by forming various departments prior to the 14th general convention. He slammed Deuba for forming various departments with the intention of affecting the next general convention. “The party president has done what he should have done six months after being elected party president. I do not have personal grudge against Deuba, but I disagree over the party’s policy and working style,” Paudel added.

At the programme, party general secretary Sashank Koirala flayed Deuba for forming party departments with the intention of luring leaders into his camp. “Deuba did not form the departments for four years. However, forming the departments on the eve of the next general convention is a flawed move,” Koirala argued.

The party’s central member Prakashman Singh stressed the need to hold the next general convention in a free and fair manner. Her accused Deuba of failing to lead the party.