Himal Press 
CPN-UML Headquarters
KATHMANDU: The ruling CPN-UML has defended its decision to accept land donated by controversial businessperson Min Bahadur Gurung – the owner of Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket – for its new party office building.
“We have accepted the land donated by him (Gurung) transparently and with an open heart. There is no bargaining or exchange involved. He will face any pending cases against him on his own. No one is above the constitution and the law,” UML said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The UML statement comes in response to criticism over the party’s decision to use the land donated by Gurung, who has been charge-sheeted for the Lalita Niwas land scam, for constructing its party office in Kirtipur.
However, the party has insisted that there was no quid pro quo involved in accepting the donation.
UML has clarified that Gurung will face any ongoing legal cases against him independently.
Rajendra Gautam, head of UML’s Central Publicity and Publication Department, said in the statement that it is common practice in democratic countries for businesspeople to support political parties.
He also claimed that Gurung was associated with UML’s student wing during his college days and has maintained ideological and political proximity to the party.
Gautam said the party’s first National Convention Representative Council meeting had called for support for the construction of the party’s central office building. “Our Senior Vice-chairperson Ishwar Pokharel heads the committee,” Gautam added.
UML Chairperson and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli laid the foundation stone for the building, which will be built on 10 ropani and 14 ana of land (approximately 5,372 square meters), on October 11.
