The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) staged a protest in front of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) office on Friday, demanding investigations and action against all forms of corruption.
Led by Chairman Rajendra Lingden, party members chanted slogans during the demonstration in front of the CIAA’s office in Tangal, Kathmandu, on Friday afternoon.
The RPP also submitted a memorandum to the CIAA, calling for thorough investigations and action against corruption.
"There seems to be a competition for corruption between the federal, provincial, and local levels. The current situation is such that instead of asking where corruption exists, we have to ask where it does not," states the memorandum submitted to the CIAA by Lingden.
He also pointed out that facts about ministers' involvement in corruption have been surfacing one after another.
"In such a situation, it appears that ministers are competing among themselves over who can embezzle faster and more. Moreover, reports that the chief commissioner himself has been laundering corruption money abroad clearly demonstrate the extent and pervasiveness of corruption in Nepal," he said.
Lingden further noted that political leadership has remained outside the scope of investigation in major corruption scandals such as the Sudan scam, Lalita Niwas land grab, Wide Body aircraft procurement, Cantonment scam, Omni Group scandal, and Ncell controversy, raising serious questions about the CIAA's impartiality and effectiveness.
"The RPP firmly believes that unless the the political sector, the main root and shelter of corruption, is brought under investigation and accountability, minor actions alone cannot improve service delivery, good governance, and corruption control," Lingden asserted.
The RPP also highlighted that incidents like fake Bhutanese refugees, cooperative fraud, sudden hikes in prices of construction materials like rod and cement, the current visit visa scandal, and ministers' audio leaks are just a few examples tarnishing the image of Nepal and its people in the international community.
Party spokesperson Mohan Shrestha said that the RPP had to draw the CIAA's attention due to delays in investigating and acting on high-profile corruption cases, including the Pokhara Regional International Airport, Gautam Buddha International Airport, Manipal Medical College, Chinese aircraft purchase scam, and misuse of billions in agricultural subsidies.
