Home minister Lekhak resigns; NC under pressure to quit govt

KATHMANDU: Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak has resigned following the killing of 19 people across the country during the Gen Z protests.

Lekhak was compelled to step down after mounting pressure within his own party, the Nepali Congress. Party leaders also said that the incident had tarnished the image of the democratic party.

During a meeting of incumbent and former office bearers on Monday evening, Lekhak agreed to take moral responsibility and announced he would resign. Deuba, however, remained silent during the discussion.

“An unforeseen tragedy occurred today. I did not order police to open fire,” Lekhak reportedly said in the meeting. “I summoned the chiefs of both police forces and instructed them to use water cannons and batons only. But firing still took place. I am ready to take moral responsibility and resign.”

NC General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma had openly demanded Lekhak’s resignation while condemning the police crackdown on protesters.

NC leader Shekhar Koirala sent a letter from China saying that Lekhak’s resignation alone would mean nothing. “If we want to protect Nepal’s constitution and democratic system, the NC cannot remain in government even for a moment longer,” he wrote, describing the killings as one of the gravest massacres in Nepal’s history.

After facing intense pressure, Lekhak went to Baluwatar and formally submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Oli.

Despite his exit, Gen Z protesters have continued to demand an independent investigation and accountability for those responsible.

Calls for quitting the government have intensified within NC. Several leaders in Monday’s meeting argued that remaining in the coalition was no longer justifiable after the bloodshed. Former Vice President Bimalendra Nidhi said NC must withdraw from the government immediately. “This was an unacceptable tragedy. To safeguard the constitution, multiparty democracy and the republic, we should form an all-party or national government,” he said, warning that democracy itself was under threat.

Former General Secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula held not only the home minister but also Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung responsible. He suggested dissolving the current cabinet and forming a new government.

Meanwhile, the NC has called a meeting of its Central Performance Committee at 9 am on Tuesday.