By Our Reporter

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli who became the Prime Minister of powerful government of the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML with the slogan of political stability and good governance three months ago has once again made the mockery of good governance by accepting land by controversial businessman and owner of Bahtbhateni Min Bahadur Gurung.

When Oli accepted 10 Ropanis and 14 Anas of land of Kirtipur from the Gurung couple and laid the foundation stone of the party office during the Dashain holiday, he drew criticism not only from other parties but also from the leaders of ruling Nepali congress and even from within his party UML.

Many within and outside the UML termed acceptance of land as the apparent abuse of authority. Gurung, Bhatbhateni supermarket chain owner, who is facing a corruption charge in the Lalita Niwas land scam has also pledged to construct a posh office building in the same land.

When PM Oli and Min Bahadur Gurung and his spouse jointly laid the foundation stone of the party office on October 11, the PM drew severe criticism stating that he accepted donation worth billions of rupees from a controversial businessman who is facing a court case.

Despite criticism, a party secretariat meeting on Sunday decided to construct the office building in the donated land no matter whether it drew criticism or not. Moreover, the meeting decided to seek clarifications from three UML leaders—former vice chairman Bhim Rawal, Standing Committee member Binda Pandey and Central Committee Member Usha Kiran Timilsina for their public statement against the party decision. Many UML leaders argue that the party office could be constructed by collecting donations from the party members instead of receiving donation from a controversial businessman like Gurung.

Source : https://www.peoplesreview.com.np/2024/10/23/the-bhatbhateni-episode-in-uml/