KATHMANDU: The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) took Tirtharaj Bhattarai, Joint Secretary and Chief of the Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), into custody on Wednesday.
Bhattarai was arrested and brought to the CIAA office in Tangal based on allegations that money was being illegally collected through the issuance of “visit visas.”
Following his arrest, the name of Nepali Congress (NC) leader Ramesh Lekhak, also serving as Home Minister when Bhattarai was appointed, has also come under scrutiny.
Lekhak had removed the then immigration head Suresh Panthi, another Joint Secretary, just four months into his term and appointed Bhattarai in his place on October 9, 2024.
Soon after Bhattarai, who already had a controversial reputation, took charge, illegal visa-related money collection activities reportedly increased significantly at the Immigration Office.
Anticipating a CIAA raid, the Home Ministry attempted to shield him by urgently transferring him to the Ministry of Immigration last Tuesday evening.
In Monday’s meeting, Shashank urged party president Deuba to formally seek explanations from Shekhar and his allies—MPs Sharma and Bajgain—over their demand for Home Minister Lekhak’s resignation.
However, this last-minute attempt failed, and Bhattarai was taken into CIAA custody without fully processing his transfer letter. This has stirred controversy within the Nepali Congress, prompting the party to convene a meeting of current and former office-bearers to deliberate over Home Minister Lekhak’s involvement in the “visit visa” scandal.
At the meeting held on Monday morning at party President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s residence in Budhanilkantha, former General Secretary Dr. Shashank Koirala made a surprising proposal: He suggested taking disciplinary action against his own cousin, Dr. Shekhar Koirala, who has been vocal in demanding Lekhak’s resignation.
Dr. Shashank proposed to Deuba that the party call Shekhar—along with MPs Sunil Sharma and Rajendra Bajgain, who support him—to provide a formal explanation for their actions within the party.
The dynamics of Monday’s meeting evoked memories of the historic conflict between the founding figures of the Nepali Congress—Matrika Prasad Koirala and Bishweshwar Prasad (BP) Koirala.
While Matrika led the armed revolution against the Rana regime, BP served as the ideological architect and founder of the party. Their personal and political rivalry not only fractured the party but also had far-reaching implications for national politics.
After the fall of the Rana-Nepali Congress coalition government in 2007 BS, the party faced internal strife over who should lead the government—BP or Matrika.
Both were confident in their claim to the premiership. On November 14, 1951, the party’s Central Working Committee held a meeting to settle the leadership issue.
Journalist Jagat Nepal, in his book “First Parliament: BP–Mahendra Clash”, recounts how Matrika attempted to block BP’s nomination, arguing that neither the king nor India would accept him.
According to the book, Matrika even claimed that Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had written to the king opposing BP’s candidacy.
Although BP was assured of becoming Prime Minister upon resigning as Home Minister, he was blindsided when King Mahendra and India worked behind the scenes to stop him. Unbeknownst to him, Matrika had also appealed to the king for the top post.
The book notes, “He [BP] was confident he would become Prime Minister, leading the party as Home Minister. But he was stunned to find the king and Nehru acting against him after Mohan Shumsher’s resignation.”
Now, 74 years later, Shashank’s proposal to take disciplinary action against his own cousin Shekhar mirrors the fraternal power struggle of the past.
Much like his father BP’s surprise in 1951, Shashank has shocked party members by targeting a close family member during a time of internal crisis within the Nepali Congress.
Dr. Shekhar argued that if Minister Lekhak truly believed in accountability, stepping down amid serious allegations linked to the Immigration Office would reflect his moral integrity. “That would show where he stands morally,” he added.
In Monday’s meeting, Shashank urged party president Deuba to formally seek explanations from Shekhar and his allies—MPs Sharma and Bajgain—over their demand for Home Minister Lekhak’s resignation.
“What we told party President Deuba was this: You should call them and ask what happened—because we need a solution,” said Dr. Shashank Koirala after the meeting.
“Who benefits from confrontation? Certainly not the Nepali Congress. So, call them—Dr. Shekhar, Sunil, and Rajendra Bajgain—and ask for an explanation.”
However, Dr. Shashank also shared that Deuba did not give a clear response regarding whether the party would formally seek an explanation on the issue.
“He (Deuba) didn’t say whether it was possible or not. He just said he would look into it,” Shashank said, adding, “But I believe it must be done.”
Shashank is the son of B.P. Koirala, while Shekhar Koirala is B.P.’s nephew, the son of B.P.’s half-brother Keshav Koirala.
Both leaders are contenders for the party presidency in the upcoming 15th General Convention. Shashank is seeking to lead the Nepali Congress with the backing of President Deuba.
Meanwhile, Shekhar—who narrowly lost to Deuba in the previous convention—is actively campaigning in the districts. While speaking in his hometown of Biratnagar last Saturday, Shekhar demanded the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, citing his involvement in the ‘visit visa’ scandal.
“Now that Ramesh Lekhak is in charge of the Home Ministry, this matter falls under his responsibility,” Shekhar said. “If he’s morally clean, he should resign and call for an investigation. Let a probe committee be formed, and let the truth come out.”
Dr. Shekhar argued that if Minister Lekhak truly believed in accountability, stepping down amid serious allegations linked to the Immigration Office would reflect his moral integrity. “That would show where he stands morally,” he added.
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