Mahesh Basnet Accuses Government of Influencing Elections and Obstructing Judiciary

Kathmandu: CPN-UML Secretary Mahesh Basnet has alleged that the government appears to be acting as a medium to establish someone's agenda and ensure the victory of specific candidates in the election. 

Speaking at an interaction program with "Sun" banner candidates held in Kathmandu on Wednesday, he stated that recent events in Jhapa-5 have raised serious questions regarding the fairness of the election.

He mentioned that civil police were deployed during the door-to-door campaign of the RSP candidate's wife in Jhapa-5, and that the police themselves were seen soliciting votes, signaling the government's direct involvement in the electoral process. 

Basnet claimed that the deployment of a new SP in Jhapa-5 before nominations were filed, the security checks performed on UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli at Biratnagar Airport upon his return from Jhapa, and the use of civil police in door-to-door campaigns are not ordinary incidents. "If the election is meant to establish someone’s agenda or to make someone win, the government seems to be trying to become the vehicle for that," he said.

Furthermore, he accused the judicial system of facing pressure and interference, leading to the delay of cases regarding the reconstitution of Parliament in the Supreme Court. He noted a trend where the Chief Justice and other judges suddenly go out of contact or turn off their phones due to "non-existent illnesses," which he claims has affected the judicial resolution process.

Basnet asserted that the country is heading toward signs of a major foreign intervention and that efforts are being made to weaken the judicial system itself. "It is not just the Supreme, High, and District courts that are burning. Our entire judicial system is in a state of crisis," he remarked. 

According to him, the judicial process is being delayed due to fear, greed, temptation, or the threat of potential impeachment, which has left the issue of parliamentary reinstatement hanging. 

He demanded that the Supreme Court make an immediate decision on the reinstatement of Parliament, adding that if Parliament is reinstated, the expenses and activities being carried out in the name of elections would be unnecessary.