Internal Power Struggle Intensifies Within Nepali Congress Following High-Profile Arrests

Kathmandu. The internal power struggle within the Nepali Congress is escalating further.

Two separate statements have been issued by the Congress regarding the government's arrest of the then Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, and the then Home Minister and Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak, concerning events of Bhadra 23 and 24, 2082, as well as the implementation of the Gauribahadur Karki Commission report.

Shortly after a statement was issued by Congress Spokesperson Devraj Chalise regarding the arrest of Oli and Lekhak, former Acting President Purnabahadur Khadka issued another statement on the party's letterhead in his capacity as Acting President. The thrust of the two statements is different. This war of statements reveals a major rift within the Congress party.

The statement issued by Spokesperson Devraj Chalise appears relatively institutional and balanced. It reiterates the long-standing stance that both the repression on Bhadra 23 and the destruction on Bhadra 24 must be impartially investigated. It emphasizes that the government's implementation process is selective and the report is opaque. This statement calls for the government to exercise restraint, citing the rule of law and constitutional governance.

Conversely, the statement issued in the name of the Acting President, Khadka, who is considered close to former President Sher Bahadur Deuba, is aggressive. It directly accuses the actions of political vendetta rather than focusing on policy matters.

Khadka condemned the arrest of former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, calling their detention illegal custody. Khadka declared the Commission's report malicious and instructed cadres across the country to be prepared to face any situation.

Gagan Thapa was elected President in the special general convention of the Congress held last Poush. Previously, the faction led by Sher Bahadur Deuba, who was the Congress President before, has been calling the special general convention proponents illegitimate. This matter is currently under consideration in the Supreme Court.

The Spokesperson's statement demands action against those responsible for the incidents on both days. However, Khadka's statement questions the very legality of the report, arguing that it remains silent on the destruction of Bhadra 24. This suggests that one faction within the Congress wishes to scrap the report entirely, fearing their leader Ramesh Lekhak might be implicated in the state repression of Bhadra 23.

The arrest of Ramesh Lekhak and KP Oli has brought a new wave to Nepali politics. Khadka's statement also incorporates solidarity or shared grievance with CPN-UML Chairman Oli, which is not mentioned at all in the Spokesperson's statement.

The Spokesperson's statement is labeled as the 'Party's View,' whereas Khadka's statement says, 'This meeting decides.' The failure to disclose which meeting made the decision suggests that the Deuba faction convened an emergency meeting of their own group and used the party's letterhead.

This war of statements within the Congress demonstrates serious mistrust at the party's leadership level. One faction seeks to resolve the issue through legal processes, while the other aims to protect its leaders through street agitation and political pressure.