Nepali Congress Disciplinary Committee Initiates Action Against Purna Bahadur Khadka

Kathmandu. The Nepali Congress Disciplinary Committee is set to initiate disciplinary proceedings against former acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka in accordance with the party's constitution.

 The committee, led by central member Taraman Gurung, decided to seek an explanation after Khadka issued a press release on Baisakh 2 using the party's letterhead while citing a position he no longer holds. 

The disciplinary committee's decision states, 'Since the act of issuing a press release by former Nepali Congress vice-president Purna Bahadur Khadka on 2082/12/30 in an unauthorized manner is contrary to the party's constitution, it is decided to seek a 7 (seven) day explanation as per Article 34, Sub-section 8 (d) of the Nepali Congress Constitution 2017 (with amendments).'’

Disciplinary committee coordinator Gurung stated that if the explanation is not submitted within the stipulated time, the disciplinary process will proceed as per the constitution. 'If the response to the explanation is not received within the specified time, the disciplinary process will move forward according to the constitution,' coordinator Gurung told Ratopati. 'In the previous meeting, we had decided to issue a warning as per the constitution. After that was ignored, an explanation was sought. He must either submit an explanation to the disciplinary committee or appeal to the Central Working Committee as per the constitution.'

Previously, on Chaitra 14, Khadka had issued a statement on the party's letterhead in his capacity as acting president, expressing objection to the arrests of former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister and Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak.

 On Chaitra 17, in the same capacity as acting president, he had called a meeting of the Central Working Committee elected from the 14th General Convention.

Following that, the Central Disciplinary Committee meeting held on Chaitra 18 decided to warn Khadka, stating that his act of issuing an unauthorized statement in the capacity of acting president using a fake party letterhead was wrong. 

Disciplinary committee's decision to seek clarification is pointless and ridiculous: Purna Bahadur Khadka

The disciplinary committee's decision had stated, 'From now on, it is decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against any person who commits such wrong acts in accordance with the Nepali Congress Constitution, 2017 (with amendments) and prevailing Nepal laws.'

Challenging that warning, Khadka again used the party's letterhead on Baisakh 2 to issue a statement in his capacity as acting president, leading the disciplinary committee to seek a 7-day explanation. 

Coordinator Gurung states that since the constitutional process began at the time of the warning, the disciplinary process will continue according to the constitution. 

When asked by Ratopati whether the explanation sought while the dispute regarding the party's legitimacy is in the Supreme Court will continue even after the verdict, coordinator Gurung said, 'The committee will ensure that the disciplinary process initiated according to the constitution reaches its conclusion.'’

The committee led by Gurung includes central members Subas Pokharel and Dhana Khatiwada as members.