A cryptic message left by MP stirs controversy

Published On: April 10, 2019 08:10 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, April 10: What the lone Member of Federal Parliament from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party wrote on Twitter has stirred a hot debate on what was the intention behind writing such a cryptic tweet.

Lawmaker Rajendra Lingden has claimed on Twitter that someone is trying to take his life for Rs six million.

The RPP, where Lingden is an influential leader, has been pressing the government to reinstate Nepal as a Hindu state. On Monday alone, hundreds of cadres and leaders of RPP were hurt in a clash with the police in the capital while 20 were arrested for protesting in Pokhara.

In the controversial tweet, MP Lingden has hinted that there is someone willing to pay Rs 6 million to kill him. He has also asked if there is anyone who thinks that he would waver from his path if such threats are laid upon him.

Then RPP General Secretary Rajendra Lingden had defeated Nepali Congress (NC) senior leader Krishna Sitaula for a seat in the House of Representatives from Jhapa-1 in the general elections of 2017. In the election, Lingden secured 44,614 votes whereas former Home Minister Situala garnered 31,156 votes.

Twitteratis have expressed concern regarding the issue with some people asking if the political leader has filed a complaint of life threat with the police. However, police have reported that no such complaint has been registered till date.

When Republica tried to get in touch with Lingden, did not answer the calls and has remained out of contact since Tuesday afternoon. It is unclear what were Lingden’s intentions behind writing such message on Twitter.

Lingden is a known supporter of the reinstatement of monarchy. The Kamal Thapa-led RPP had submitted a 22-point memorandum to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on February 19. In its memorandum, the party had sought to scrap the provision of secularism enshrined in the constitution, reinstatement of Hindu state, a referendum on federalism, stringent action against secessionist forces and safeguarding the territorial integrity.

Other demands of the party included crackdown on corruption, action against those involved in corruption and curbing of price hike. The party had also urged the government to take initiative to bring back Nepali territories encroached by India in Kalapani, Susta, and Lipulekh.