Communist Party Leader Lekhnath Dahal Criticizes Selective Asset Investigation by Government

Kathmandu. Nepali Communist Party leader Lekhnath Dahal has stated that asset investigation should be equal for all individuals according to the law. Speaking at a program organized in Kathmandu on Tuesday, he clarified that investigations should not be selective. He claimed that the government has formed a commission to investigate assets of individuals except for Rastriya Swatantra Party leaders, former military personnel, and former judges, stating that this investigation commission is unconstitutional. He emphasized that constitutional and legal bodies of the state should be allowed to work without influence. He stated that state mechanisms such as the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, the Department of Money Laundering, and the Inland Revenue Department conduct asset investigations according to the law. Mentioning that anyone involved in corruption or illegal activities should be brought under legal action, he said that those proven guilty should not be exempted based on party or position. He accused the current government of trying to protect leaders and cadres of the ruling party while targeting the opposition with investigations. He argued that the policy of investigating assets only of those who voted for the bell symbol is like the Panchayat-era royal family being exempt from the law, whereas in a republic, the law should apply equally to all. Speaking at the program, Dahal said, 'Our belief is that the asset investigation commission is not something he should form. We have authorized institutions to investigate assets.' Adding context about other bodies, he further said, 'There is money laundering, there is the CIAA, the Inland Revenue Department, and about 10 other departments, state departments. It is enough if they are freed from pressure and influence. Isn't it enough to say, investigate assets according to the law?' Protesting the government's policy, he said, 'He is currently investigating assets, can he say investigate everyone except those who voted for the bell and the leaders of the bell? Can he say except former judges and former military personnel? The law should bring anyone who commits illegal acts under its purview.' Recalling the views of his party chairman, he said, 'When our party chairman Prachanda was the Prime Minister at the time, he had said that if in the process of conducting a campaign for good governance and social justice, even Prachanda's name is found on the road, you should arrest him right from the road. Does Balenji say that?' Challenging the Prime Minister, he added, 'If Rabi Lamichhane, who embezzled 65 crore 54 lakh rupees from Gorkha Media Network Pvt. Ltd., is found in the investigation process, can you say arrest him too? If I, Balen, with 190 tolas of gold, am found to have any irregularities, you should be able to say arrest me too. If you do that, we will support the steps taken by this government.' Dahal accused the current government's governance method of being unconstitutional, undemocratic, illegal, and arbitrary. He also accused the government of trying to erase Nepal's 'chuchche' map that includes Lipulek, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani, saying, 'We will not compromise on the issue of nationality. He is trying to remove the chuchche map, it will not happen by his will. Balens can be removed, but the chuchche map will not be allowed to be removed, it will not be removed.' He claimed that Prime Minister Balendra Shah is running the government irresponsibly and is heading towards becoming autocratic by interfering in all sectors of the executive, legislature, and judiciary.