KATHMANDU: Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Prakash Jwala stands resolute in his decision not to step down despite being urged to resign as the perceived ‘main culprit’ in the tragic incident in Lalitpur’s Balkumari, which claimed the lives of two youths on December 29, 2023.
Amidst calls for Jwala’s resignation, Jiwan Ram Shrestha, Central Office Secretary of the Unified Socialist Party, asserted that Minister Jwala would not step down under any circumstances, contending that the mistake was made by others and it would be unjust for the minister to resign.
Regarding the findings of the Committee of Inquiry, which identified Minister Jwala as the main cause of the Balkumari incident, another leader Jagannath Khatiwada stated that there have been no discussions or developments within the party regarding Jwala’s resignation, dispelling rumors and emphasizing the lack of formal talks.
Accusations have been levied against Jwala, who alleges that the minister, representing the Samajwadi Party, is a victim of a biased report driven by political vendetta and anti-corruption measures.
The incident in Balkumari occurred in December last year when two youths lost their lives due to police firing during a demonstration demanding the opportunity to retake the Employment Permit System (EPS) exam.
The Ministry of Home Affairs established an investigation committee, led by Joint Secretary Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, to investigate the incident.
The committee’s report implicated Minister Jwala as the main culprit, leading to his acceptance of moral wrongdoing and subsequent calls for resignation.
The Secretariat of Unified Socialist’s Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal, stated that there has been no formal discussion regarding Jwala’s resignation within the party.
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