KATHMANDU: The officebearers of the Nepali Congress (NC) discussed the recent arrest of central committee member and former home minister, Bal Krishna Khand, during a meeting on Thursday.
During the meeting, Vice President Dhanaraj Gurung and General Secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma raised the issue of the Bhutanese refugees scam and sought President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s views on the matter. While Gurung, Thapa, and Sharma suggested suspending Khand to facilitate the investigation, Deuba remained silent on the issue.
“Khand is claiming that he is innocent, and we believe him. However, since the police have arrested him and taken him into custody, we should suspend him now. If he is proven innocent, he will be automatically reinstated,” Thapa said during the meeting, as reported by an NC leader.
Gurung supported Thapa’s view and called for the party to facilitate the investigation by suspending Khand. “The party’s stance on the matter has not disseminated a positive message. I request the President to clarify his stand. The party should move forward by suspending Khand,” he added.
Similarly, another general secretary Sharma expressed concern about the delay in reaching a concrete decision on the matter. “Why is the party not taking a clear decision? The President must inform us,” Sharma said. “The statements of a Vice President and General Secretaries are insufficient. Shouldn’t the President come up with the party’s official view?” Sharma questioned.
As per a party leader, Deuba updated the meeting on Khand’s arrest and other political developments. “The investigation is ongoing. Why should we make any further comments?” Deuba remarked.
Also speaking in the meeting, Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka criticized the leaders for disclosing the party’s internal discussions to the media. “Having dissenting opinions within the party is natural, but it should not leak to the media,” Khadka said, as per the party leader.
Joint General Secretary Mahendra Yadav, who is known to be close to Khand, said that the party should refrain from taking any action against Khand. Yadav had expressed the same view on Wednesday.
Following Khand’s arrest by the police, Deuba had held a discussion with leaders who are close to Khand, including Yadav.
