After criticism, UML declares: Min Bahadur is a party worker

KATHMANDU: The Communist Party of Nepal (UML) has expressed serious concern over the recent criticism regarding the land received for its central office building.

Following widespread criticism, the UML issued a statement on Wednesday, noting that the remarks concerning the acquisition of land and the permanent solution for constructing its central office building are regrettable.

In a statement issued by the Chief of the UML Publicity Department, Rajendra Gautam, the party condemned the accusations.

“It is unacceptable to defame a party with a 75-year-long historical legacy and its leadership in such a manner,” he said.

Gautam further clarified that Min Bahadur Gurung, who donated the land, has a long-standing association with the party.

He further said, “It is a well-known fact that while working in Nepal Bank Limited, he worked as a member of the central working committee of the banking sector, as the central treasurer of an inter-institutional organization, and played a leading role in the trade union movement, while remaining ideologically and politically close to the party.”

The UML stressed that in democratic countries, it is common for business figures to provide support to political parties, and there is no reason to criticize this practice under the guise of so-called purism. The party stated that no deals were made, and there is full transparency in accepting the land donation for the construction of the new central office.

The party’s statement also recalled that after the 2015 earthquake destroyed its office in Balkhu, the UML had been operating from various temporary locations. The party had been searching for a permanent site for nine years, and in 2023, Min Bahadur Gurung and his wife donated 10 ropani 14 aana of land in Kirtipur to aid in constructing the new office.

KP Sharma Oli, the party chair, laid the foundation stone of the party’s central office on Friday.

UML concluded by stating that any legal cases involving Gurung will be addressed according to the law and affirmed that no one is above the constitution.