KATHMANDU: Chairman of CPN-UML, KP Oli, staunchly defended Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane amid mounting pressure for a parliamentary inquiry from the Nepali Congress.

During a UML parliamentary party meeting on Friday, Oli rebuffed calls for Lamichhane’s resignation, arguing against the necessity of a parliamentary committee instigated by opposition parties.

Oli lambasted the opposition, particularly the Nepali Congress, for their insistence on a committee probing Lamichhane.

He added that the Nepali Congress will start demanding Lamichhane’s resignation the moment the investigation committee is formed.

Addressing concerns regarding potential bias in investigations, Oli emphasized that any inquiry should encompass all relevant parties.

“If there’s a complaint, the investigation should target everyone,” he said.

Furthermore, Oli questioned the focus of the investigation, particularly in the case of cooperatives.

“What warrants scrutiny in the cooperative matter? Are there financial crises? Have investors suffered losses?” he challenged, emphasizing the government’s obligation to address such issues proactively.