Parallel Activities Emerge in Congress Following Arrest of Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak

Kathmandu. Parallel activities have begun within the Congress party following the arrest of former Home Minister and party leader Ramesh Lekhak. Lekhak, who was the Home Minister until the CPN-UML agitation on Bhadra 23 and 24, was arrested by the police on Saturday morning from his residence in Katunje, Bhaktapur. He was arrested with an urgent arrest warrant for investigation into a homicide case.

Following his arrest, parallel statements have been issued from the Congress side. Spokesperson Devraj Chalise issued a statement on behalf of the party's establishment faction. A statement was also issued by leader Purna Bahadur Khadka on behalf of the faction led by Dr. Shekhar Koirala, the closest rival to Sher Bahadur Deuba, who was elected President in the 14th General Convention.

In the statement issued by the Deuba-Dr. Koirala faction after the new leadership was elected in the special general convention held last Poush, Khadka mentioned his position as Acting President. He also used the party's letterhead. Since an individual not holding office issued a statement mentioning their position and using the party letterhead, the establishment faction is preparing to discuss how to proceed on this matter. For this purpose, an informal meeting of the establishment office bearers is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

Congress Spokesperson Devraj Chalise admitted to Ratopati that there was an informal discussion among leaders in the afternoon, but did not disclose the subject matter.

The responsibility of Acting President was given to Purna Bahadur Khadka by the then President Deuba in a Central Working Committee meeting on Ashoj 28 last year. That acting position ended after the Election Commission recognized the new working committee selected by the special general convention held from Poush 27 to 30, on Magh 2. However, the writ filed by the Deuba-Dr. Koirala faction demanding that the special general convention not be recognized is still under consideration in the Supreme Court.

There are differing views from the two sides regarding Lekhak's arrest in the statements issued after his arrest. Khadka's statement mentions a strong protest against Lekhak's arrest and instructs leaders and cadres to be ready for it. The statement also accused the government of 'betraying the public sentiment.'

In the statement issued by Spokesperson Chalise, the context of Lekhak's arrest raised issues of internal review and future political strategy for the party. In the statement, Chalise mentioned the need to be 'more cautious and responsible in the decision-making process,' noting that prudence must be exercised in future decision-making.

This incident appears to create further crisis of confidence in the internal unity within the party. Leaders are concerned that this episode might show the public that Congress is not united.

An official from the establishment faction says, 'The issue of recognition is in the Supreme Court. The Election Commission has recognized us. He issued the statement in his capacity as Acting President. We are informally discussing that matter.'

Leaders of the Deuba-Dr. Koirala faction, however, state that parallel activities will continue until the Supreme Court decides on the issue of recognition.