KATHMANDU, Nov 21: Medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai made a controversial statement on Monday, claiming that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has invested $210 million in a company in Cambodia.
Prasai alleged that he had discovered documents confirming the investment after spending millions of rupees and publicly released some suspicious documents. However, police arrested Prasai from his residence in Bhaktapur on Tuesday, accusing him of forging the documents. He is also charged with spreading misinformation against PM Oli through social media.
The Kathmandu District Court has granted police permission to detain Prasai for five days for further investigation.
PM Oli returning home after Viet Nam, Cambodia visit
Meanwhile, some UML leaders departed for Cambodia on Wednesday, raising questions about the visit through social media platforms. Dr. Rajan Bhattarai, in charge of UML’s Bagmati Province and a former foreign affairs advisor to PM Oli, traveled to Cambodia.
Dr Bhattarai, who also heads the UML Foreign Affairs Department, was previously appointed coordinator for a mass rally the UML is organizing in Kathmandu on Friday. Dr Bhattarai’s sudden departure for Cambodia, just before the rally, fueled widespread speculation on social media, particularly among supporters of Pushpa Kamal Dahal and critics of PM Oli.
Dr Bhattarai not alone on Cambodia visit
The UML clarified that Dr Bhattarai’s trip to Cambodia is unrelated to Prasai’s allegations. In fact, Dr Bhattarai did not travel alone.
Raghubir Mahaseth, chief of the UML Foreign Affairs Department, also accompanied Dr Bhattarai. Other Nepali leaders attending the trip include former Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala (Nepali Congress), CPN (Maoist Center) Vice Chairman and former Speaker Agni Sapkota, Janamat Party Chairman Dr. CK Raut, and RPP leader Uddhab Paudel.
These leaders attended the 12th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP). The UML confirmed that Dr Bhattarai is a member of ICAPP’s permanent committee.
In response to allegations linking his trip to Prasai’s claims, Dr Bhattarai shared photos from the ICAPP conference upon his arrival in Cambodia on Thursday. He also posted updates on Facebook about the Nepali delegation’s participation to refute the rumors. Despite these clarifications, social media remains rife with speculation surrounding Dr Bhattarai’s Cambodia visit.
