As for me, I am not in any party yet. I have not even said whether I will stand for election or not.
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
Last Monday, Prime Minister Karki demanded the resignation of Minister of Communications Jagdish Kharel, as well as ministers Kulman Ghising and Bablu Gupta, after public criticism began over ministers in the civilian government formed under Prime Minister Sushila Karki's leadership being active in party politics, including the 'mandate' to hold elections.
Even after the Prime Minister asked for his resignation, Minister of Communications Kharel and others are delaying in resigning.
Minister of Communications Kharel had publicly welcomed the merger of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah and Minister Ghising into the same party. After Kharel, who is a minister, welcomed the decision of a party, questions were also raised publicly on him. Durga Dulal's brief conversation with Kharel on this issue:
Has the Prime Minister asked ministers who are seen as involved in political parties to resign?
Do you know if I have joined any party? - Minister of Communications Kharel Various things were coming up regarding our Energy Minister (Kulman Ghising). The Prime Minister did not ask for his resignation. The Energy Minister, however, has made up his mind to resign as soon as the time comes. Because there are issues related to his joining a party and other issues. Rather than being asked for his resignation in that context, he has decided to resign by looking at the time.
Questions are being raised about you and Sports Minister Bablu Gupta regarding their political involvement and expression, has this issue not been raised?
I cannot say anything about Minister Bablu Gupta. As for me, I am not in any party yet. I have not said anything about whether I will contest the elections or not. I am not anywhere in any meeting, party formation, unification, etc. After it has not been said anywhere, my words are different. Now, in the case of others, the concerned minister should answer. Do you know that I have joined any party? In any meeting, in any meeting, in any place, have I said publicly that I will contest the elections or that I will do so? No. In my case, the people have wished that I would have contested the elections, this is true. But I have not made any decision.
It is one thing for the people to wish, but what is your own wish?
I have not decided on that issue yet. Now, as the government spokesperson, as the Minister of Communications, I will do whatever I have to do. The rest of the decisions—whether to contest the election or not, whether to join party politics or not, what to do—are still pending.
Are you separated from the government if you have to be a candidate?
Becoming a candidate tomorrow, winning the election, becoming active in politics—those are things for later. I will talk about such matters later. So far, there is no decision on whether to contest the election or not, whether to join a party or not. The truth is that I am the government spokesperson and Minister of Communications and I am fulfilling that responsibility. If there is a situation where I will be a candidate tomorrow, we will comment at that time.
