Political Turmoil Erupts After Arrests of Former PM Oli and Minister Ramesh Lekhak Following New Government Formation

Kathmandu. Debates are raging in political circles following the arrest of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, just 12 hours after the government led by Balen Shah was formed.

Some interpret the government's move as being aligned with the fresh mandate, while others criticize it as politically motivated prejudice.

On Friday, the first cabinet meeting under Balen's leadership decided to immediately implement the report of the Gauribahadur Karki Commission, formed to investigate incidents during the 'Jenji' movement. The day after the cabinet decision, then-Prime Minister Oli and then-Home Minister Lekhak were arrested early in the morning. Following this, CPN-UML cadres took to the streets.

The Kathmandu District Court granted the police a five-day remand for Oli and Lekhak, who are currently in police custody, for investigation.

An emergency meeting of the CPN-UML Secretariat held on Saturday decided to assign three Vice-Chairpersons to make the struggle in parliament, on the streets, and in legal battles effective. The meeting assigned Bishnu Poudel the responsibility of dialogue with other parties. Ram Bahadur Thapa was tasked with dialogue with parties inside the parliament, and Gokul Bista was assigned to coordinate the legal battle.

'The government has openly displayed the arrogance and intoxication of its two-thirds majority power and has initiated a journey towards cruel retribution. This reveals that the government itself is engaged in a terrible conspiracy to push the country towards endless instability, confrontation, and conflict,' UML leader Mahesh Bartaula told Ratopati. He stated that it is necessary for all patriotic and democratic political forces in the country to strongly oppose and resist such malicious actions by the government. He added, 'This is extremely objectionable and regrettable.'

The CPN-UML appears prepared to intensify its protests until Chairman Oli is released by the government. CPN-UML cadres are staging daily protests on the streets.

Opposition political parties have expressed apprehension regarding the implementation of the Karki Commission report, citing contradictions concerning the incidents that occurred during the 'Jenji' movement on Bhadra 23 and 24. Based on the Karki Commission report, the government decided to immediately implement measures concerning those other than security personnel in relation to the Bhadra 23 incident.

The government decided to investigate and proceed with action regarding the destruction on Bhadra 24. When these two points were included in points 6 and 7 of the government's 100-point agenda on governance reform, the then-ruling parties, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, objected.

'Regarding Bhadra 23, based on the report prepared by the Gauribahadur Karki Commission, necessary investigation, action, and prosecution proceedings against the guilty individuals and parties according to prevailing law shall be immediately initiated,' points number 6 and 7 state, 'For Bhadra 24, a high-level investigation committee shall be formed within one week to ascertain the facts. This committee shall be mandated to collect all details related to the incident, analyze them, identify the responsible parties, and submit a report within a specified time, and necessary action shall be initiated based on the committee's recommendation.'

Similarly, the government had decided to form a fully empowered asset investigation committee within 15 days to investigate the assets of key political officials and high-level employees holding public office from 2048 BS till date.

It was stated that for good governance, transparency, and corruption control, in the first phase, the assets of political officials and high-level employees holding public office from 2062/63 BS till date would be investigated, and in the second phase, the assets of key political officials and high-level employees who held office from 2048 BS to 2062/63 BS would be investigated.

However, the Nepali Congress, the second-largest party in parliament, is divided into two factions over the government's move. The establishment faction, which came to leadership through the special general convention, has not made strong comments regarding the arrest of Oli and Lekhak. The statement issued by spokesperson Devraj Chalise mentioned that the government's behavior concerning the 'Jenji' movement appears 'selective.'

He stated that not following established legal procedures seems to further complicate the justice process.

Spokesperson Chalise clarified that no further process has moved forward on matters outside the party's decision. 'The party has already made a decision regarding the government's move. If further decisions are needed, the meeting will convene again to make a statement,' he told Ratopati.

Meanwhile, the faction elected from the party's 14th General Convention has accused the government's move of being political retribution. Acting President Purnabahadur Khadka issued a separate statement accusing the government of arresting the former Home Minister with the objective of settling political scores.

'The government has made the arrest with the objective of settling political scores. These arrests, made without following any procedure, are against the rule of law and prejudiced,' the statement read.

This group has warned that the Karki Commission report itself is biased and that they will constitutionally and politically oppose it.

The other opposition party, the CPN (Maoist Centre), has stated that the party will fully support the government's positive actions. A meeting of the Federal Parliamentary Party held at the central office in Paris Danda on Sunday urged the government to work in accordance with laws, procedures, and due process, free from political bias and prejudice.

'There will be full support for the government, but the government should not go down the wrong path. The government has published its agenda; how it implements it remains to be seen. We have consistently raised the issue of good governance before. When political leaders are questioned, an investigation should take place,' said leader Shakti Basnet.

He asserted that when Prachanda was the Prime Minister, they initiated a good governance campaign, stating that action should be taken if involvement in corruption and irregularities is proven. However, Basnet clarified that although cooperation among opposition parties might be possible in the future as needed, there has been no dialogue with any party yet in that regard.

'After assuming the leadership of the state, power should not be misused. Laws, procedures, and processes must be followed. The government should not operate based on any bias or prejudice. If the government moves forward with that sentiment, the country could head towards disaster,' he said. 'Coordination and cooperation will happen with other parties in parliament as needed. But we have not discussed with any party yet.'

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) spokesperson Mohan Shrestha stated that they will seriously review the current situation and move forward. He welcomed the government's announcement on good governance, noting that his party had previously raised these very issues.

'We will seriously review the situation. Our party will move forward in a new way. Many of the issues brought by the government are extremely positive. Asset investigation since 2046 BS is an issue we value. In the future, we will support or oppose the government based on merit and demerit,' he said.

Similarly, the new party, Shram Sanskriti Party, stated that it will make a decision after observing the government's presentation. Spokesperson Satya Gurung informed that they are currently in the process of organizational expansion and will play the role of an effective opposition once the parliamentary session begins.

'Good work done by the government will be supported. If it starts going down the wrong path, we will monitor it from the opposition,' he said.

He mentioned that they are making internal preparations on how to effectively raise the voices of the people in parliament.