In what could be termed as the strongest allegation against the KP Sharma Oli government at the ongoing standing committee meeting of the ruling Nepal Communist Party, a senior party leader has accused the government of working at the behest of crony capitalists.

The incumbent government is run by crony capitalists whose sole motive is profiteering, NCP leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha said at Friday’s meeting.

He said the government’s decision to appoint tainted figure like Digambar Jha as the chief of Nepal Telecom Authority reveals that there is no match between government’s word and its action.

Shrestha, who was a former vice-chair of the then CPN (Maoist Centre), claimed that prosperity can never be achieved as long as people like Jha exist in the core circle of the government.

It is unfortunate that this government promotes corrupt people and opposes anti-corruption crusader like Dr Govinda KC, who has been risking his life to change the country’s medical education sector, Shrestha said.

 “In principle the communist rule must mean hardship for the mafias and crony capitalists. But the very mafias and crony capitalists walk tall among us. They are even manipulating the country’s leaders.”

Ever since the NCP took the government reins, Shrestha claimed corruption has thrived. 

Shrestha also criticised the party document presented by the NCP co-chairman duo, Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, for discussion at the standing committee meeting.

“No where does the document talk about the weakness of the leadership, be it in the party or the government. If we go by the document, it seems like everything is perfect. But the fact is entirely different. The party leadership must develop a culture of retrospection which is the only way to correct past mistakes.”

He also accused the party leadership of not respecting dissident voices and trying to marginalise those critical of the leadership.

Leaders, including Jhal Nath Khanal,  Surendra Pandey, Ghanashyam Bhusal, have criticised the Oli’s leadership, both in the government and the party. Deputy Prime Minister Ishwar Pokhrel and senior leader Subas Nembang, among others, are among the leaders who have defended him.