KATHMANDU: Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chair Rajendra Lingden has sharply criticized the main opposition party, CPN (Maoist Centre), for what he called a “brave surrender” over the controversial visit visa scandal allegedly involving Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.
Speaking during Friday’s session of the House of Representatives, Lingden slammed the Maoist Centre for backing down after nearly two weeks of obstructing parliament proceedings, saying the party ultimately capitulated to protect the ruling alliance.
“The so-called drama the nation has been watching for the past 17–18 days ended today with the brave retreat of the main opposition leader,” said Lingden. “He said it was to protect the republic, but the public knows well that the deal was made to protect loot-cracy, not democracy.”
Lingden made these remarks following a speech by Maoist Centre Chief Whip Hitraj Pandey, who had explained the rationale behind the party’s decision to support a two-point agreement reached with the ruling coalition.
He alleged that the Maoist Centre, instead of holding the government accountable over serious allegations of corruption linked to the visit visa and immigration scandals, had instead made a deal to defend systemic exploitation.
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