KATHMANDU, Feb 1: Concluding that many leaders of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) have amassed property illegally and are involved in corruption, a section of leaders of the party has strongly demanded that all their leaders disclose their property details. Also, they have demanded that the party form a powerful commission to probe their property.  

They have argued that political corruption will be further institutionalized if the party doesn’t take immediate steps to discourage “the growing corrupt behaviors” in the party.

“A powerful commission should be formed by the party to probe the property of all leaders,” said NCP leader Lekhanath Neupane, presenting the conclusion of his group at the ongoing central committee meeting of the party, “Otherwise, corruption will be institutionalized.”

At the ongoing central committee meeting, some party leaders have expressed their dissatisfaction over the “increasing culture of corruption” in the party. Summing up the views expressed at the meeting, Neupane, who was named the leader of Group 2, made such demands to the party leadership. 

In Nepal, political parties are beyond the jurisdiction of the anti-graft agencies. Top politicians are rarely booked these days due to their dominating role everywhere and good connections with bureaucrats and office-bearers of anti-corruption agencies.

Recent surveys including those conducted by Transparency International have shown that Nepal’s political parties are one of the most corrupt organizations in the country. 

Over 450 central committee members of NCP have been divided into 15 groups to comment on three key issues – political report presented by party chairmen KP Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, organizational report, and the draft amendment of the party statute – tabled at the ongoing central committee meeting. Discussions are underway at three different places – Rastriya Sabha Griha auditorium, party headquarters, and Parisdanda – over the issues.

Based on the discussions in their groups, the group leaders have started presenting their conclusions before the top party leaders. On Friday, three groups led by Kamala Roka, Dinanath Sharma and Neupane presented the conclusions of their discussions. 

Also, the provincial chiefs of the party briefed the state of party organization on the ground, relation between the party committees and governments in local, provincial and central governments and its performance since the party came to power in 2017. 

Those who briefed the party leadership on party organizations said the central government was not effective in delivering services as promised. They also said that some good work done by the government was not publicized effectively and the people were not aware of the achievements. According to the briefings, the relations between the provincial governments and provincial party committees are relatively good whereas the local party committees and local governments are engaged in conflicts. 

“Some conflicts emerged between party organizations and local governments are worrisome. The party needs to resolve them to strengthen the party in the days to come,” said Neupane. 

The NCP, which is engulfed in a series of differences of opinions ranging from $500 million US grant to Nepal and internal party politics, has summoned its central committee members to discuss how to resolve them. 

Top leaders are criticized of being involved in petty interests and revising party statute to strengthen the influence of certain leaders in the party. Recently, a meeting of the party secretariat had created a vice-chairman position for Bamdev Gautam.

 
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