KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress (NC) leader Shekhar Koirala has taken to social media to express his dismay over the recent decision by the Nepali Army to extend the ‘waiting’ period of Brigadier General Yam Bahadur Adhikari, a former Maoist combatant.

The decision, which allegedly involved a modification of the organizational regulations, has raised concerns regarding the misuse of rules for the benefit of ex-combatants.

Koirala emphasized the gravity of such a maneuver in an institution critical to national security, traditionally kept apolitical.

“In an institution like the Nepali Army, which is linked to national security and is always separate from politics, it is not acceptable for former Maoist fighters to exploit the rules,” he tweeted on Sunday.

He warned against political interference in the army, citing potential risks and urging relevant authorities to address the issue.

Earlier, during the Nepali Congress Central Committee meeting, leader Jitjung Basnet had accused Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda of attempting to interfere in army affairs by extending the service terms of retired officers.

The recent extension of the service period for officers, initially scheduled for vacation from September 18, has sparked dissatisfaction among several members of the ruling Nepali Congress.

The move has prompted Koirala and other party members to voice their concerns, citing the potential repercussions of allowing political intervention in the traditionally non-partisan institution of the Nepali Army.