KATHMANDU: CPN-UML Senior Vice Chair Ishwar Pokharel has said that party chair KP Sharma Oli should appear before the inquiry commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki if summoned.
Speaking during an interaction with editors and journalists in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Pokharel, who is also a contender for the party chairmanship in the upcoming 11th General Convention, remarked that if he were in Oli’s position, he would have gone to provide his statement even before being called by the commission.
Pokharel said that although the party may have reservations about the government-formed probe commission, presenting facts before it is both natural and necessary.
“We may have certain reservations about the commission, but being summoned is normal. If it were me, I would go ahead and give my statement. Defying it is not right,” he said.
He further stated that Oli’s decision not to appear before the commission as per its set procedure would not be appropriate.
“Questions have been raised about the commission chair himself. But the commission was formed based on the human and material losses during the protests of September 8 and 9,” Pokharel said. “There is a concern about how neutrality can be ensured when the chair already had a stance before formation. Still, one must appear before the commission to present their views.”
Pokharel emphasized that giving a statement means presenting one’s perspective and facts. “I believe our chairperson will also go to give his statement,” he added.
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