Former prime minister and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal has accused Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli of attempting to destroy his political career.
Speaking to journalists in his home district of Rautahat on Thursday, Nepal claimed that the corruption case filed against him in connection with the misappropriation of Patanjali Yog Peeth land was initiated on PM Oli’s instructions.
“He (PM Oli) has been against me from the beginning. His intention is to end my career, my political career. He has tried multiple times before as well. He is a person driven by a vengeful mindset,” Nepal said.
He denied any wrongdoing in the Patanjali Yog Peeth case, claiming that he has never taken a single rupee through corruption or with malicious intent.
“I have not taken undue benefits from anyone. I want to say this as a challenge. Therefore, I stand against any act that harms the nation. If somebody has done something inappropriate, I have stood firmly against it. As for what is written there, it claims I gave instructions to a minister. I have never, to this day, instructed any minister to do any such inappropriate thing,” he said. “Let the evidence be presented. I have never instructed or pressured any minister to do such inappropriate things.”
Nobody can even imagine that an institution like Patanjali, associated with figures like Swami Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, would engage in improper activities, Nepal said.
“Therefore, I have not done anything with improper motives. Were the rules, laws, and procedures followed or not? Were all matters brought forward in accordance with the law? Did all the agencies concerned examine it? And did the chief secretary seek legal consultation in the prime minister’s office in the end? All this needs to be reviewed. If something improper has happened... not a single piece of government land was given away,” he said.
Regarding the Patanjali Yog Peeth land issue, Nepal said that if the land exceeds the ceiling or something improper has happened, all the land can be taken back.
“For that, it should not be seen as a crime, wrongdoing, or malicious intent. Because I also support the promotion of yoga and the production of Ayurvedic medicines in Nepal. Even now, I practice yoga. I offer my support and cooperation for initiatives driven by good intentions. However, rules, laws, and procedures must be respected and followed. When a decision is made by the Cabinet, it would have been passed and advanced after going through all procedures and being reviewed by all ministers. Even if that didn’t happen, I am unaware of any actions that harmed the country, people, or nation. If such improper actions have occurred, they cannot be excused,” he said.
