KATHMANDU: Three advisors removed from Prime Minister Sushila Karki’s Secretariat a day earlier have issued a joint statement strongly objecting to the decision.
They allege that the Prime Minister’s move reflects disregard, favoritism, and personal vendetta.
Youth and social expert Pradeep Gyawali, information technology expert Arun Katuwal, and Section Officer Akriti Ghimire stated that the Prime Minister appeared to have fallen into the grip of a vested interest group.
The trio claimed that from the beginning, they had actively contributed to the expansion of the citizen-led Secretariat, election preparations, linking voter ID with national identity numbers, and election operations within and outside districts. They said they had also repeatedly suggested that the Secretariat required additional manpower due to its limited staffing.
The dismissed advisors said they protested after Prime Minister’s Private Secretary Adarsha Kumar Shrestha appointed his own wife and relatives to the Secretariat.
“The Gen-Z movement stood against corruption, nepotism, and favoritism. We could not support actions that go against that spirit,” they wrote.
They claim that after they criticized nepotistic appointments, the Private Secretary provoked the Prime Minister against them, leading to their dismissal.
“Punishing us instead of holding the main actor accountable shows the Prime Minister is being influenced by a particular interest group,” the statement reads.
They urged the Prime Minister to clean up the Secretariat, repeating their demand that Chief Private Secretary Shrestha be removed.
They also questioned the role of Press Advisor Ram Bahadur Rawal, alleging misuse of the Secretariat’s letterhead and demanding accountability.
With the country in a sensitive phase, they urged the Prime Minister to closely examine whose interests her advisors represent.
“The Secretariat must be the most reliable institution in times of crisis. It is essential to shield the Prime Minister from bad counsel,” they stated.
Although dismissed from their posts, they stressed they remain committed to the mandate of the Gen-Z movement and will continue contributing toward a transparent and accountable governance process.
“The previous government collapsed due to arrogance, nepotism, and authoritarian tendencies,” they wrote, calling on all stakeholders to remember this truth and ensure Nepal achieves a democratic resolution soon.
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