KATHMANDU, Dec 9: Janamat Party led by Dr Chandra Kant Raut has long attempted to remove Goma Labh Sapkota, its proportional representation lawmaker, from her position. The party repeatedly wrote to the Speaker of the Federal Parliament to take action through formal letters, but the Speaker has declined to act.
After the Speaker ignored the third letter sent via Parliament Secretariat, the Janamat Party criticized Speaker Devraj Ghimire, accusing him of shielding Sapkota because she is allegedly his relative. Ghimire responded by challenging the party to prove their claim.
However, the Janamat Party has since remained silent on the issue. It has already expelled Sapkota from the party and stripped her of ordinary membership.
The party's Secretary Anita Devi explained that they took the action because Sapkota engaged in activities that harmed the party's interests as she also allegedly supported attempts to split the party. "She acted against the party's interests and even tried to split it," Devi said.
However, the party has not publicly disclosed the specific actions Sapkota took.
Sapkota rejected the allegations. "I work in the party's interest and have not done anything to split it. I completely deny the leaders' statements," she says.
Efforts being made to bring Janamat Party back to govt
Amid ongoing accusations and counteraccusations, it has come to light that Sapkota paid a large amount of money to become a lawmaker. Republica obtained a bank statement from Megha Bank's Janakpur branch, which shows that Sapkota deposited Rs 11,00,000 in the name of Janamat Party Treasurer Surendra Narayan Yadav on September 6, 2022.
It is revealed that Sapkota didn't just pay RS 11,00,000; she became a lawmaker on the condition of paying Rs 32,00,000. She continues to contribute the money from Rs 32,00,000 to the party.
Sapkota denied the claim. When asked if she became a lawmaker by paying money, she responded, "I worked for the party and led the women's association in the district. The party made me a lawmaker in recognition of my contribution. I did not become a lawmaker by paying money."
The party's Spokesperson, Sharad Singh Yadav, admitted receiving money from Sapkota but claimed that she gave it as a contribution to the party. He said, "At that time, the central secretariat decided that those who could help the party should do so. That is why she gave the money. It was not a transaction or a deal."
However, Sapkota deposited the money in the name of an individual, Surendra Narayan Yadav, instead of the party's account. Spokesperson Yadav explained, "He (Surendra Narayan Yadav) is the party's treasurer. So, the money was deposited in his name. While others may do it secretly, we do it openly. The party decided that those who can help should do so. She gave the money based on that decision."
This information has also reached the Federal Parliament Secretariat, but an official from the Secretariat stated that it is not within their jurisdiction.
"The information has reached here, but the Secretariat does not have jurisdiction over it. If the case ever reaches court, the Secretariat might be seen as overstepping its jurisdiction. The Speaker and the Federal Parliament Secretariat are being cautious about this," the official said.
He added, "The Secretariat will recognize someone as a lawmaker only after the Election Commission (EC) provides all the documents. It is not solely the Secretariat's responsibility to decide how they come here."
Meanwhile, after the party repeatedly urged the Federal Parliament Secretariat to take disciplinary action against her, Sapkota went to the EC herself. She requested them not to take any action against her. By that time, it had already come to light that she had paid money to become a lawmaker. The EC had also inquired about this, but Sapkota did not comment on it.
A commissioner of the EC told Republica, "When she came to the EC, we inquired about this, but she remained silent. When we asked further, she called it an internal matter. After that, we did not put additional pressure on her."
The commissioner added, "We did get some clues from that, but relying solely on that to move forward would be immature and should not be done."
However, Chief Commissioner Dinesh Thapaliya officially stated that the EC will proceed with the matter according to the law once it reaches the Commission through the court. He said, "If it comes through the court, it will be considered an electoral offense and the Commission will take action based on the law. I have heard about the matter as well, but we cannot move forward with it alone. It must be confirmed."
However, there have been widespread calls for an investigation into the matter after the issue came to the light. People from various quarters have demanded that the relevant state mechanisms conduct an inquiry and take action once the facts are verified.
