Online Khabar
Kathmandu, October 2 . So far, six ministers from the CPN-UML have either left the Sushil Koirala-led government or got the boot. In the latest two incidents, two UML ministers have virtually lost their jobs to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority. The latest casualties are Energy Minister Radha Kumari Gyawali and Youth and Sports Minister Purushottam Poudel.
First on the list is Industries Minister Karna Thapa. UML leaders say the party recalled Thapa after finding him indulging in irregularities. Thapa was considered a promising leader from the KP Oli camp. Thapa had described his removal from the post as unjust.
The Tourism Ministry portfolio has given many leaders a bad name. At one time, UML leader Jhala Nath Khanal’s relative, Bhim Acharya, was removed from the post of tourism minister. Khanal’s personal assistant Dipak Amatya replaced him. After earning infamy for his financial dealings, Amatya got the axe and Kripashur Sherpa got the job. Later, his secret liaison with a woman came to the fore and shook the party headquarters.
Sherpa managed to keep the job after pledging to the party leadership that he will take care of his wife and son.
Agriculture Minister Hari Parajuli is another UML minister, who became infamously famous.
He put in papers after after media splashed pictures showing him engaging in objectionable behavior with women during Ropain Jatra.
And yesterday, Energy Minister Gyawali got the axe from Prime Minister Koirala after pressure from the CIAA. The anti-graft watchdog had written to Koirala to sack Gyawali, accusing her of engaging in irregularities related to the Solu corridor transmission line.
The same day, Youth and Sports Minister Poudel relented to pressure from the CIAA. In a long resignation letter submitted to Koirala, Poudel has accused CIAA of forcing him to resign. The ouster of two ministers in a day is a huge setback for the UML.
With their image tarnished, these UML leaders now face an uncertain future.
It’s not that ministers from the Nepali Congress have a squeaky clean image. Despite charges of irregularities in the purchase and distribution of zinc sheets and tarpaulins, neither the CIAA nor the prime minister has initiated action against them.
