The UML leaders urged Khanal not to accept Karki as CIAA chief commissioner at any cost even if there is pressure from other political parties. [break]
"Karki was found guilty by the then Rayamajhi Commission in brutally suppressing demonstrators during April 2006 movement and the CIAA had subsequently suggested to disqualify him from holding any public post in the future," Yogesh Bhattarai told Republica. "We, therefore, pressed our party chief to oppose his appointment as chief commissioner at the CIAA."
In a memorandum presented to Khanal, the second-rung leaders argued that the political forces who fought for democratic system and values would feel shame for appointing a person like Karki in a key position of a vital constitutional body.
UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at a meeting of major political parties had reportedly proposed Karki´s name for the post of chief of the anti-corruption body and leaders from Madhes-based parties had seconded the proposal.
"Neck-deep in corruption, Maoist leaders and former ministers are afraid of investigation from the CIAA and they want to weaken the anti-corruption body by appointing a weak person there," said Bhattarai. "Leaders from other parties need to understand the Maoist conspiracy and stop Karki from heading the commission."
Responding to the party members´ concern, Khanal said he would draw President Ram Baran Yadav´s attention toward the objection and urge leaders from other political parties to find other candidate for the post.
The appointment of commissioners comes into effect only after the president endorses the cabinet´s recommendations.
Leaders including Ashta Laxmi Sakya, Prakash Jwala, Arun Nepal, Ghanshyam Bhusal, Yogesh Bhattarai, Bijay Paudel, Rajendra Gautam, Jagannath Khatiwada, Satya Narayan Mandal, Baijnath Chaudhary, Jivan Ram Shrestha and Thakur Gaire signed the memorandum and submitted it to the party chairman.
"We had to press the party leaders against Karki´s appointment because it is a serious betrayal to those who fought for democracy in 1990 and 2006," Khatiwada said. According to him, it was not only in 2006 that Karki was found guilty in brutally suppressing people´s movement but was suspended from his government job for being involved in corruption back in 1990 as well. "Later, he was reinstated following pressure from the royal palace and other power centers," claimed Khatiwada.
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