Govt is targeting NC leaders, says Rana

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) lawmaker Udaya Shamsher Rana has objected to the arrest of NC leader and fellow lawmaker Dr. Sunil Sharma.

Speaking in the meeting of the NC parliamentary party on Friday, Rana alleged that the government had facilitated the escape of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal from the country. “The government appears to be targeting NC leaders. If this is not the case, then why was former Prime Minister Nepal allowed to flee?” questioned Rana. “What is the rationale behind arresting our lawmaker Sharma in a case that seems to be all but closed?”

Rana also criticized the issuance of an arrest warrant for party leader Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar and the arrest of party leader and former home minister Bal Krishna Khand some months ago. “Our party is in the government, but our leaders are being arrested one after another,” he remarked. “Meanwhile, communist leaders are permitted to leave the country even after court orders have been issued.”

Former Prime Minister Nepal departed for Europe shortly after the Supreme Court granted permission to initiate an investigation against him in connection with the Lalita Niwas land grab scandal. He is yet to return.