Gagan urges all to unite against corruption

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has called one and all to unite against corruption and the protective shield some political leaders have extended to corrupt individuals.

“In the current scenario, it is crucial for all of us who stand against corruption and those involved in corrupt practices to come together in order to dismantle the web of corruption and the alliances being formed to shield wrongdoers,” Thapa stated in a social media post.

He pointed out that recent corruption cases have unveiled how the administration has evolved into a ‘network of corruption’ rooted in authority and personal connections, leading to misuse of power. “If these leaders can agree secretly not to pursue corruption cases, then why shouldn’t we unite to probe such matters?” Thapa questioned, urging like-minded leaders to unite for the cause.

Thapa’s remarks follow a series of corruption scandals including the Lalita Niwas case, the fake Bhutanese refugee case, the Tikapur land scam, and the gold scandal. He alleged that senior leaders are responsible for growing corruption in the country. “In such scandals, it’s highly probable that prominent leaders might publicly criticize each other while privately collaborating behind the scenes, often using these issues as bargaining chips for power,” Thapa alleged.

He underscored the necessity for robust legal, structural, and institutional reforms to dismantle the intricate network of corruption and promote effective governance. Amendments to two legislations related to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority and corruption that are under deliberations in parliament is a step forward in this direction, he added.

“We have proposed numerous amendments. Let’s handle this earnestly,” he said. “We need to clearly define policy corruption by enacting a separate law.”