KATHMANDU, Nov 5: Nepali Congress General Secretary Udaya Shumsher Rana has accused the government of undermining the rule of law, warning that Nepal is increasingly resembling a “banana republic.”
Speaking on the Nagarik Frontline on Wednesday, Rana alleged that the government was acting arbitrarily, as if there were no laws or regulations in the country.
Raising questions over the audio controversy and the police's conduct, Rana accused the government of misusing state institutions.
He said it was entirely illegal to record and release a video of a statement before an investigation had even begun.
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“Has it ever happened that a video of an investigation is recorded and released? Is Nepal a banana republic? Do rules and laws mean nothing?” Rana asked.
He alleged that the government was creating anarchy by intimidating all state institutions.
Rana claimed that the police were being used to intimidate media outlets, judges were being prevented from performing their duties, and the chief of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) was being confined in a separate prison inside Singha Durbar.
He further claimed that more than 500 government employees had been threatened into resigning within a short period, while an irrigation official had been detained overnight and forced to cancel a tender to suit the government's interests.
Rana alleged that the country was being run not by the prime minister and ministers but by an “underground clique” of advisers. He said the advisers were making decisions by bypassing ministry secretaries, leaving the state machinery virtually inactive.
He also accused officials at the Prime Minister's Office of engaging in criminal activities, including destroying evidence and making phones disappear.
Rana said neither the Nepali Congress nor party President Gagan Kumar Thapa would be intimidated by any threats from the government.
He warned that as soon as parliament resumes, the party would push for the formation of an inquiry committee to investigate the alleged illegal activities and the video leak controversy, and would summon the government and police to parliament to answer questions.
He said the Nepali Congress would now launch a strong resistance to protect democracy, the Constitution and the independence of the judiciary.
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