Minister Pandey files complaint against leader Bajgain for discipline violation

Kathmandu, November 15 — Nepali Congress Deputy General Secretary and Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Pandey, has filed a complaint against Rajendra Bajgain, party leader and lawmaker from Gorkha-1, for acting contrary to party discipline.

Minister Pandey has lodged the complaint with both the party's disciplinary committee and the parliamentary party.

According to Pandey's secretariat, Bajgain has been accused of working against the party's discipline and interests. The complaint demands disciplinary action against the Member of Parliament (MP) Rajendra Bajgain.

"His actions have gone against the party's interests and discipline. He even sought to take revenge on the minister," said a member of Pandey's secretariat.

MP Bajgain had previously made allegations on social media, accusing the minister of receiving millions in bribes from the operator of Royal Tiger Recreation in exchange for a casino license. Bajgain also claimed that the minister had purchased a house with the alleged bribe money.

"How can a minister who was once living in a rented room buy a house so quickly?" Bajgain wrote on social media. In response, Badri Pandey clarified that he had never made deals with middlemen or brokers and had worked with integrity, but that self-interested groups were trying to corner him. 

Pandey also responded by challenging Bajgain, stating that although he could confirm receiving a substantial amount of money, he was prepared to end his political career if it was proven, and dared Bajgain to prove his allegations.