Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) has initiated disciplinary action against 507 leaders and cadres accused of working against the party’s official candidates in the March 5 elections.
A meeting of the party’s Central Disciplinary Committee, chaired by coordinator Tara Man Gurung, held at the party’s central office in Sanepa on Wednesday, decided to expedite investigations after studying the complaints from different party units across the country.
According to Dinesh Thapa Magar, secretary of the committee, 507 complaints have been grouped into five main categories. “These include individuals who contested as independent candidates against official nominees or supported such candidates, those directly involved in campaigning for rival candidates, those indirectly helping opponents, and those accused of sabotage from within the party,” he added.
The committee has also identified elected representatives from the party who allegedly supported opposition candidates during the elections.
“Those found prima facie guilty have been given seven days to submit written clarifications. Necessary action will be taken in line with the party statute if satisfactory explanations are not provided within the deadline,” Magar added.
Meanwhile, the committee has objected to the misuse of the party’s letterhead and seal to issue what it termed an “unauthorised statement.”
Referring to a statement issued by Purna Bahadur Khadka on March 28, the committee said such an act has undermined the party’s credibility.
In the statement, Khadka, claiming to be the party’s acting president, announced a decision to protest the arrests of former prime minister KP Sharma Oli and party leader and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak.
“Any further misuse of letterheads or unauthorised claims of responsibility would invite action under party rules and prevailing laws,” it added.
