Deuba Accuses Gagan Thapa: ‘Those Who Sell the Party for Money Cannot Protect the Nepali Congress’

Kathmandu / Nov. 7: Former Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has accused certain individuals of financial manipulation in the dispute over the party’s official status.

Addressing the 15th convention of the Nepali Congress Kathmandu District Committee in Kathmandu on Saturday, Deuba questioned the Election Commission’s decision-making process, claiming that financial influence had played a role in determining the party’s official status.

Referring to media reports that election commissioners had received death threats and were subsequently compelled to make a decision in favour of another faction, Deuba called for an impartial investigation into the matter.

He also referred to a public statement alleging that an individual had paid Rs 180 million, accusing those involved of attempting to influence the party’s official status through money.

Targeting party president Gagan Kumar Thapa, Deuba remarked that those who sell the party for money cannot protect the Nepali Congress. He maintained that the party’s political values, principles and identity cannot be traded for money.

Deuba said he had already achieved much in his political career and that it was now time to contribute to the party and the country.

He expressed confidence that the court would deliver a fair verdict in the dispute over the party’s official status. He also said he remained hopeful that the Nepali Congress’s traditional tree election symbol would be retained, adding that he would continue to pursue the matter firmly.

“The party should be run not under the influence of money, but in accordance with established procedures, its statute and the trust of its cadres,” Deuba said.