KATHMANDU: Pukar Bam, chief of the negotiation team of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has warned that if new political parties and independent leaders fail to unite, serious legal cases may be filed against them in the near future.
In a statement titled seven-point attention, Bam stated, “Even when ideas, issues, and principles are the same, if everyone takes separate paths, the way forward is clear: inside jail.”
Possible legal consequences
Bam specifically mentioned names including Energy Minister Kulman Ghising, Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Sah, former RSP lawmaker Sumana Shrestha, and leaders Sudan Gurung and Sagar Dhakal from Hamro Nepali party. He warned that if cooperation fails, charges such as treason, promoting terrorism, inciting communal violence, rioting, destruction, arson, and vandalism of public property could be filed.
He also cautioned that after the elections on March 5, if old political party alliances return to power, a crackdown under operations like “Kiloseera 2” could target alternative and independent leaders.
“Jail may become the venue for unity talks”
Using a sarcastic tone, Bam wrote, “If unity doesn’t happen now, tomorrow everyone may have to conduct unity talks in Nakhu prison, under the dim light of a small lamp, with bhajans, dance, and rap battles as the background.”
Political retaliation against RSP
Bam criticized the previous Congress-UML government, saying, “History shows that the KP Sharma Oli–Sher Bahadur Deuba government took political revenge against Ravi Lamichhane.”
Addressing new alternative leaders, he posed a question: “If cases are filed against Kulman Ghising for corruption, or against Balendra Sah for treason and promoting terrorism, how will you respond? Will you step back from leadership or resist from jail?”
Call for immediate unity
Bam urged all new and independent political groups to come together on a single platform immediately, warning, “Right now, it’s easy to respond because this hasn’t yet affected you. Once it happens, it will be too late.”
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