Former President Bhandari Strongly Objects to Arrests of Oli and Lehk Following New Government's Assumption of Office

Kathmandu. Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has expressed serious objection after the government led by Balen Shah arrested CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lehk immediately upon assuming office. Issuing a press release on Saturday, she termed the government's move as vindictive and contrary to democratic values and norms.

The former President strongly protested this action, stating that the arrest was made under the pretext of implementing the report of the Investigation Commission led by Gauribahadur Karki, which was formed by the then interim electoral government led by Sushila Karki. She mentioned that implementing the report in haste, especially when the report itself is incomplete and studies have shown errors, constitutes an attack on the rule of law.

Bhandari opined that this step, based on the recommendations of the investigation commission concerning the incidents of Bhadra 23 and 24 in particular, increases the risk of renewed conflict and instability in the country. She emphasized that implementing any commission's report requires sufficient study, institutional consultation, and due process, asserting that the current government's move is immature.

She urged the new government, formed under the slogan of good governance, to immediately reconsider and withdraw this decision, stating that it has trampled upon constitutional dignity and established democratic practices right at the start.  

She also cautioned the government to act with restraint and proceed according to the law for the sake of the nation's stability and the preservation of the democratic system.