Former PM Prachanda Denies Allegations of Illegal Cash Found at Daughter's Home During Inquiry Commission Testimony

Kathmandu. Former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' stated that the propaganda claiming illegal cash was found at his daughter Ganga Dahal's house during the demonstrations on Bhadra 24 is completely baseless and fabricated. While testifying before the Inquiry Commission formed to investigate the agitation, he clarified that neither he nor his family has earned income from any illegal sources.

He stated, 'On Bhadra 24, there was vandalism, arson, and looting at the rented residence where I was staying in Kathmandu and at my house in Chitwan. I do not own a house in Kathmandu. The propaganda that illegal cash was found at my daughter Ganga Dahal's house is baseless. Neither is such cash found, nor have we earned income from any illegal sources.'

In the report obtained courtesy of Janastha Weekly, Prachanda condemned the crackdown on Bhadra 23, informed that he had made a public appeal to declare the protestors martyrs, and participated in an all-party meeting at Singha Durbar on the 24th. In his understanding, this agitation was a result of growing public dissatisfaction and anger towards the government's working style.

He concluded that although the ban on social media immediately incited the agitation, the nature of the movement changed on the 24th, and wrong elements exploited it.

During his testimony, Prachanda mentioned that he does not own a private house in Kathmandu and resides in a rented accommodation. Mentioning that his rented residence in Kathmandu and his house in Chitwan were vandalized and set on fire on Bhadra 24, he characterized this as a planned attack on the system itself. He determined that the attacks on sensitive locations such as Singha Durbar, Shital Niwas, and the Parliament building were not just expressions of anger against the government but an attempt to weaken the democratic system.

• Suspicion of Party Involvement and Infiltration

Prachanda clarified that while his party supported the spirit of the agitation, it was not involved in any violent activities. 'If any individual from our party is proven to be involved in illegal acts, they must face legal action,' he said.

He presented to the commission the fact that youth urged others to return home on the 24th amid suspicions of infiltration, indicating internal and external infiltration in the movement.

Prachanda claimed that during his tenure, he prioritized the merit system in appointments and transfers/promotions. Admitting that political interference affected the professionalism of the police, civil service, and judiciary, he stated that the political system and economic structure are also responsible for this.

While trade union rights are granted by the constitution, he suggested that state mechanisms should not be turned into political arenas, and student organizations should focus on educational reform. He pointed out the necessity of introducing youth-centric employment and opportunity programs to prevent similar incidents from recurring in the future.