Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha resigned from the post of party spokesperson after dispute with CPN chairmen during the meeting convened in Baluwatar on July 23 to address demands of Dr Govinda KC.
Two CPN leaders present during the secretariat meeting have confirmed so with Setopati.
The government was under pressure as Dr KC's fast-unto-death stretched. A CPN meeting held in Baluwatar on July 18 had decided to bring Dr KC to Kathmandu from Jumla at any cost as the doctor's health started to deteriorate.
Dr KC continued his fast even after being forcibly airlifted to Kathmandu. He did not give consent to even do regular health checkups. The government came under additional pressure after opposition parties, media and intellectuals also started to speak in favor of Dr KC.
CPN had convened the secretariat meeting on July 23 amidst such intense pressure. "The main agenda of the meeting was how to respond to Dr KC's fast," a leader present during the meeting told Setopati.
Shrestha opined that the party should seek solution to Dr KC's
Satyagraha (nonviolent movement for truth) and embrace the good aspects of Mathema report and immediately implement the recommendations that can be implemented, according to the member.
Another secretariat member present during the meeting said Prime Minister (PM) and CPN Chairman KP Sharma Oli objected even as Shrestha was speaking.
"How is he a
Satyagrahi (crusader for truth)? How can a man who conspires against our government and sits for a fast be a
Satyagrahi? What truth does he represent?" the member quoted PM Oli as fuming.
The member revealed that Oli also objected about the Matehma report. "Why are you talking positively about the Mathema report. The Matehma report is completely reactionary, and anti-people," the member quoted Oli as adding.
Shrestha then presented his arguments. Shrestha argued that PM did not know why the Mathema task force was formed and what the report contains. "We were listening. It turned into a heated exchange between the PM and spokesperson. There was some sort of tension," the member stated.
"Neo-liberalism has created problems in education and health sectors. The report recommends solution of those problems," the member quoted Shrestha as stating. "The government must take ownership of the pro-people recommendations of Mathema report and seek solution to Dr KC's fast," the member quoted Shrestha as stressing.
PM Oli was infuriated further once Shrestha talked about addressing Dr KC's fast. "How can we bow down if someone threatens to jump in Trishuli river? There will be many such individuals," the member quoted Oli as saying.
Oli attacked Shrestha further and took exception to his meetings with Dr KC and others who were supporting the doctor. "You are also our party spokesperson. Why did you meet Dr KC, Sushila Karki, Krishna Pahadi and others who are attacking our party? Who did you ask for permission?" the member quoted Oli as asking.
Shrestha then pointed how the party had already taken a decision to prioritize saving Dr KC's life, and seek resolution to the problem through dialogue. "I have met Dr KC and others to seek solution as per that party decision," the member quoted Shrestha as saying in defense.
Another CN Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal also supported PM Oli after that and expressed displeasure with Shrestha pointing he should not have met those persons without permission of the party.
"Shrestha was perhaps hurt very much after criticism even by Dahal," the member said. He added that Shrestha also became furious after that.
"Are you Gods? Who do you think you are? Why should I take permission from you to decide who I should meet? Why should I seek permission even for implementation of the party line? You took the decision a few days back and now say I cannot meet the persons," the member quoted Shrestha as fuming.
The member revealed that Shrestha furnished a written resignation saying "You two keep your position of spokesperson if one cannot speak what one's conscience sees and meet people merely due to the post of spokesperson."
Another secretariat member also confirmed Shrestha's resignation that day and stated, "He resigned in temper that day. He will take it back."
"That whole episode has ended now that Dr KC has also broken his fast."
