KATHMANDU: Amid growing questions over the effectiveness of the two-thirds majority coalition government formed by the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, a serious accusation has emerged against one of its Cabinet members.
Badri Prasad Pandey, the Nepali Congress Joint General Secretary and Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, has been accused by a fellow Nepali Congress member of accepting a bribe of 20 million rupees in exchange for granting a casino license.
Congress MP Rajendra Bajagai claims that Minister Pandey took the bribe from casino operator Ravi Dhital to issue a license for the Royal Tiger Recreation-operated casino in Bhairahawa. Bajagai further stated that Dhital himself revealed the bribe payment to him, adding that there were witnesses present.
Bajagai publicly accused Pandey of corruption, alleging that the minister had demanded the bribe to grant a casino license and had even instructed the money be delivered to a Congress leader’s residence. “How does a leader living in a rented house suddenly buy a home after becoming a minister?” he questioned.
Bajagai released documents showing that the casino license was granted to Tiger Palace in 2017 and subsequently to Royal Tiger Recreation on July 26, 2024. He argued that it was suspicious for Minister Pandey to issue the license immediately upon taking office, while a related court case concerning the casino’s operations remains unresolved.
This issue has sparked further controversy. Two days earlier, Bajagai staged a protest in Maitighar Mandala against Minister Pandey, calling him ineffective and incompetent. Many were surprised to see a Congress MP protesting against a minister from his own party.
The dispute surrounding the Tiger Palace Casino has now reached the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) instructing NRB to investigate the financial transactions. The casino issue is still pending in court, with an earlier order mandating the suspension of all activities until further notice.
Minister Pandey’s Response
Minister Pandey responded to these serious accusations on Tuesday, defending his integrity at an event in Kathmandu. He emphasized that he has never compromised with intermediaries or agents, insisting that a vested group is trying to undermine his reputation due to his commitment to honest work.
Pandey invoked Pashupatinath, vowing to resign from politics if even a single rupee of corruption could be proven against him. He criticized those spreading unfounded rumors on social media, claiming that he remains unchanged from his time as a student leader to his current role as a minister.
Minister Pandey concluded by pledging to resist any alliances with corrupt groups, stating that his career has been driven by a genuine commitment to public service.
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