CPN lawmaker has sought resignation of Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gokul Baskota.
Sudan Kiranti of the ruling CPN speaking in the meeting of the International Relations Committee of parliament on Sunday has demanded Baskota's resignation taking exception to the latter's expression about the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact.
"Government spokesperson has said MCC will be passed at any cost. His expression that America can deal the fate of Suleimani to any leader of the country is objectionable," Kiranti stated.
He accused Baskota of trying to cast a shadow on national sovereignty and called Baskota's expression Lhendup Dorje attitude. Dorje, the last prime minister of the kingdom of Sikkim, is considered to be a key figure in annexation of the country by India and was rewarded by India as the first chief minister of the state of Sikkim after annexation.
"I take exception to the surrendering Lhendup Dorje attitude and he must resign on moral grounds. I want to draw the attention of committee and everybody toward the issue."
The MCC Compact has been criticized by many in the ruling party calling it part of the US military strategy.
Spokesperson Baskota on Thursday had stated that false rumors have been spread about MCC. "America can launch missiles at any corner of the world if it so wishes. There will be no need to keep a military base in Nepal. Didn't you see it hit whom recently in Iran (sic)?" Baskota had commented.
CPN lawmaker Bhim Rawal accused that some have made MCC an issue of prestige and are putting personal opinions instead of national interest and benefits. Stating that the country should move forward in a way that benefits the country and pointed need for serious study on MCC.
Ruling CPN had hotly debated MCC during the recent standing committee meeting with the erstwhile Maoists and those from Madhav Kumar Nepal faction opposing it saying it should only be passed if it becomes clear that it is not part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy floated by America.
The US embassy in Kathmandu later issued a 10-point statement clarifying that the MCC is not part of military affairs.
The press statement, which it said was in response to a large number of queries from Nepali citizens, politicians, and members of the media about the MCC, claimed that every Nepali government since 2012 has been in favor of the MCC and that there is no military component to the compact.
