Prasai accuses UML of targeting his campaign; YAN refutes claims

KATHMANDU: Kshitij Thebe, chairman of the Youth Association Nepal (YAN) – the youth wing of CPN-UML, has maintained that their protest scheduled for Thursday has nothing to do with the controversial businessperson Durga Prasai’s demonstration also planned in Kathmandu on the same day.

Talking to Himal Press, Thebe clarified that their protest aims to exert pressure on the government to address crucial issues in the country. “This is not a demonstration of our strength. It is a simple program organized to draw the government’s attention toward pressing issues,” added Thebe.

Thebe denied allegations that their intention was to clash with Prasai’s demonstration. “We had no prior information about Prasai’s demonstration when our program was scheduled. It is just a coincidence,” he added. Thebe clarified that YAN’s protest is not directed against Prasai. “Our main objective is to safeguard democracy. YAN’s protest is not targeted at any individual as such.”

Thebe also refuted claims that YAN was involved in smearing soot on Prasai. “Some groups may have done it due to his recent aggressive statements. YAN did not send a team to smear soot on Prasai, as claimed by media outlets,” he added.

UML targeting our campaign: Prsai

Prasai, however, reiterated that UML is targeting him and his campaign out of fear. “UML is a party of thugs, with the affairs being run by criminals, smugglers, and middlemen. They fear our campaign because it opposes those elements,” he added.

The controversial businessman clarified that he is not backed by any external force. “I have the support of the Nepali people alone. There is no other force behind me. I am not like a political party operated by external forces,” he added.

He said that UML would face consequences for opposing his campaign. “UML will face the heat because it is the only party that has spoken against our nationalist demonstration. Other parties have remained silent on the matter,” he claimed

Prasai declared that Thursday’s demonstration would be against the system. “Both the government and the opposition are afraid of our planned demonstration. They attempted to stop it but failed,” he said, adding that more than 300,000 people would participate in the demonstration.