UML leaders Pandey and Timilsina submit clarification; Rawal yet to respond

Kathmandu, October 28 — Members of the Standing Committee of the CPN-UML, Binda Pandey and central committee member Usha Kiran Timilsina, have submitted responses to the clarifications sought by the party.

According to sources at the UML party office, Pandey and Timilsina submitted their explanations on Monday. Timilsina went to the party office, while Pandey called representatives to her home, as she has been resting at home due to a leg injury.

Neither Pandey nor Timilsina apologized in their responses. Instead, they emphasized that public issues raised should be discussed in order to elevate the party's dignity and image. 

One part of their explanation stated, “Expression should enhance the party's dignity and image, not diminish it. Facts do not err in what is written on Facebook or said publicly.” They also included some emotional points in their response, according to the source.

The UML Central Secretariat meeting held on October 21 had decided to ask for clarifications from the three leaders, including former vice-chair Bhim Rawal, regarding public statements made about the land donation by businessman Min Bahadur Gurung for the construction of the party office building.

Following this decision, General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel sent clarification letters to all three leaders on October 22, asking for reasons behind their public statements that went against party decisions.

On October 11, the UML Secretariat had decided to accept a donation of land worth one billion, measuring 10 ropanis and 14 aanas, from Gurung for the central office building.

Pandey and Timilsina had publicly expressed dissatisfaction with this decision, suggesting that the leadership withdraw it.

The party indicated that Rawal was asked for clarification due to his longstanding differing views on party decisions.

After this decision was made, Pandey openly opposed the land donation, stating it disrespects the pride of the UML's 550,000 party members and insults the 2.8 million voters. She argued that while it is the duty of businessmen to help socially under corporate social responsibility, it is wrong for political parties to seek such help for office construction.

“They know why and how they give. However, the decision made without discussion or even informing the decisive levels of the party will prove self-destructive in the long run,” Pandey stated.

She urged the leadership to reconsider the wrong decision to preserve the pride of the UML, which was elevated by leaders like Manamohan and Madan for future generations. Timilsina shared Pandey's Facebook post.

On the final day for submitting explanations, Bhim Rawal stated that he was still studying the matter.

Despite the party asking for explanations without discussions, both Pandey and Timilsina submitted their responses in time, portraying the reality rather than offering an apology.

“It is a matter of public interest; the problem of Nepal is that businessmen have become wealthy by identifying the weaknesses of the state through corruption and lack of transparency,” their response noted. “The issue raised publicly should be a subject of internal discussion rather than merely seeking clarifications.”

Former vice-chair Bhim Rawal stated on Monday that he was still studying the explanation requested by the party. In response to a question from Ratopati, Rawal said, “I am still studying this matter. I haven’t submitted my response yet.”