Deuba denies involvement of NC in Giribandhu tea estate deal

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 17: Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has clarified that Nepali Congress had no involvement in illicit dealings concerning Jhapa's Giribandhu Tea Estate property. Deuba articulated these assertions during a ceremony honouring champions of democracy at the 26th General Assembly of the Democratic Thought Society in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Highlighting the absence of any decisions made under his and the late Girija Prashad Koirala's leadership regarding the Tea Estate property, Deuba emphasised the imperative of fortifying federal democratic federalism. He commended the sacrifices of politician Yog Prasad Upadhya, lauding his pivotal role in securing democracy and paving the way for future generations to emulate.

Similarly, Nepali Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala underscored the need for enhancing the current electoral process. "The nation's path to economic prosperity and the establishment of a lawful state hinges upon the presence of a stable government." 

Koirala attributed the prevailing instability to shortcomings in the current electoral mechanism, advocating for a majority government in parliament to ensure stability.

Echoing these sentiments, Nepali Congress leader Arjun Narasingh KC revealed the party's call for a parliamentary investigation committee to hold accountable those responsible for cooperative frauds and to deliver justice to the victims. Meanwhile, parliamentary expert Dr. Bhimarjun Aryal cautioned that constitutional amendments alone would not suffice to achieve stability, emphasizing the need for broader reforms.

Adding to the discourse, Nepali Congress leader Pradip Poudel emphasised the imperative of rectifying and amending any shortcomings in the constitution to uphold law and order. In recognition of his contributions, Yog Prasad Upadhyay was honoured with an award of Rs. 25,000 and the esteemed "Democratic Fighter" accolade.

The Democratic Thought Society, under the leadership of chairman Kul Chandra Wagle, has been steadfastly organizing programmes since 1995 aimed at bolstering democracy for societal advancement.