KATHMANDU, July 12: Chairman of the CPN (Unified Socialist), Madhav Kumar Nepal, has said that he has never taken even a penny bribe in his life.
He made the statement while addressing the first central committee meeting of the party’s student wing, All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) on Friday.
Chairman Nepal also remarked that he would accept it if the party relieved him from his position due to the corruption case filed against him.
He said that he had the courage to build a political party and was ready to face various challenges along the way.
Oli demands fair investigation of his property
Referring to the Patanjali land swap case, he said it was a policy-level decision made by the Cabinet, and that the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had shelved the case 12 years ago. He expressed dissatisfaction over the case being revived, alleging it was driven by political conspiracy.
He claimed the case was filed with the intention of weakening the party and placing it in a politically difficult position. He, but expressed confidence that justice would be delivered by the court.
He also said that political polarization is necessary to address the country’s current economic, political and social crises.
Stating that the people still trust and believe in communist parties, Chairman Nepal emphasized the importance of unity among principled leftist forces committed to the people. He stressed that communist forces must come together to guide the country’s politics in the right direction.
Also a former prime minister, Nepal said that to institutionalize change, priority must be given to good governance, employment, and effective public service delivery.
On June 5, the CIAA filed a corruption case against Nepal and 93 others over the alleged land transaction in Kavre. The land in question was under land ceiling exemption but had been registered in the name of Patanjali Yogpeeth and Ayurvedic Company Nepal during his tenure as prime minister in 2009. The CIAA demanded a fine and punishment equivalent to Rs 185.85 million in losses.
However, Nepal was granted bail of Rs 3.5 million by the Special Court following a detention hearing on June 25.
Following the filing of the corruption case, he was suspended from his position as a lawmaker. Meanwhile, the party has decided to relieve him of his post as chair.
