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CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has advised Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to step down given his ‘poor showing’. 

Organizing a press conference on Sunday, Oli and other leaders criticized the government over ‘ineffective handling’ of important matters such as the Lalita Niwas land-grab, the 100-kg gold smuggling case and obstructions in the Parliament.

Chair Oli expressed surprise that the Home Minister and the Finance Minister had not quit thus far despite their incompetencies. The party leading the government has prevented the (main) opposition from airing their views during parliamentary sessions, he said, “Whenever the opposition attempts to address the assembly, members of the ruling party promptly rise and vociferously intervene, causing disruptions. They thus thwart our efforts to facilitate a smooth functioning of the Parliament, leaving us with no option but to obstruct the House.”

The government’s shortcomings extend beyond the legislative arena, Oli maintained, “Even in terms of public service delivery, the government has faltered in producing tangible outcomes.”

“Shouldn’t we be attentive to people’s problems? Amid floods and landslides, the government’s response seems lackluster. Farmers are standing in queues to acquire a mere five kilograms of fertilizer, burdened by exorbitant costs,” he said.

Chair Oli also accused the government of being afraid to form a high-level committee for investigating the 100-kg gold case, insisting that the probe committee will be instrumental in finding whether the government is complicit in the case. 

Rajendra Gautam, head of the UML’s Publicity Department, sought the arrest of former prime ministers Madhav Kumar Nepal and Baburam Bhattarai in connection with the Lalita Niwas land-grab, citing the recent Supreme Court order directing top decision-makers to bring them under investigation. “Despite the court’s directive, police have not even questioned them (the two ex-PMs) regarding their involvement in the Lalita Niwas scandal, where they are alleged to have played a significant role through multiple cabinet decisions.”

Gautam expressed doubts about the Home Ministry’s departments conducting impartial investigations, reiterating that the UML believes an independent high-level investigation committee should be established to examine the gold case. “During investigations, the government has treated the ruling parties and the opposition differently,” he said, noting that individuals close to the ruling parties have not been thoroughly investigated.

At the program, the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government came under the main opposition’s fire for displaying arrogance through ‘vengeful moves against the opposition, dissemination of false information and attempts to conceal wrongdoings’.

The party contended that the present government is manipulating tax rates to favor specific business interests, allowing certain entrepreneurs to exploit state resources through extensive contracts.

But political analyst Krishna Pokharel says that the press briefing appeared to predominantly reflect UML Chair Oli’s sense of frustration. “It appears that this frustration stems from his party’s extended period of being out of power,” he says the conference mainly consisted of negative remarks rather than substantive discussions.

Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala has demanded the formation of a high-level probe committee to investigate the one quintal gold smuggling case.

Speaking at the Parliament Party meeting, leader Koirala was of the opinion that the high-level probe committee should be formed to take the investigation to a logical conclusion.

CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal became the Prime Minister with the support of the Nepali Congress.

Prime Minister Dahal himself is not positive towards forming a high-level probe committee to investigate the latest gold smuggling scam.

The CPN-UML has been obstructing Parliament proceedings for a long-time demanding formation of a high-level probe committee.

Last week, Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha had responded to the questions about the gold smuggling in the Parliament.

He had said that another committee is not necessary until the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police submits the report.

The UML lawmakers have been obstructing Parliament after they were not satisfied with the answers of the Home Minister.

Congress leader Koirala has also demanded the formation of a high-level probe committee to investigate the gold smuggling case like that of the UML.

On the occasion, Koirala said that Nepali has been turning into a hotbed for international smugglers.

Meanwhle, he expressed his dissatisfaction over the arrest of lawmaker Sunil Sharma.

The CPN (Maoist Center) leaders are engaged in an internal discussion before the Cabinet reshuffle.

The Maoist leaders have reached the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar to discuss Cabinet reshuffle and contemporary political issues.

Maoist Center Chairman and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Home Minister NarayanKaji Shrestha, Energy Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Local Administration Minister AmanLal Modi, Tourism Minister Sudan Kiranti and Deputy General Secretary duo Barshaman Pun and Janardan Sharma are present in the discussion.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is preparing to expand the Cabinet by roping in the CK Raut-led Janamat Party.

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has demanded the formation of a high-level judicial commission to investigate the 100 kg gold smuggling case.

The investigation required a judicial commission to reach the root in the scam, said the former Prime Minister at a press conference organized here today in the party office.

It was not possible to smuggle the gold of such a big amount without the involvement of people in higher ranks, he claimed.  

In another context, Chair Oli blamed that the government arrested lawmaker Sunil Sharma in a fake academic certificate case in its attempt to lessen the protest against it.

The UML has been obstructing the Parliament demanding the formation of a high-level commission to investigate the gold smuggling.