Nepali Congress lawmaker Rajendra Bajgain has written to the party’s central disciplinary committee, calling for disciplinary action against the party’s Joint General Secretary and Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Pandey.

Bajgain expressed serious concerns over Pandey’s recent public statements, accusing him of undermining the core principles of Congress and the constitutional values of Nepal.

Bajgain’s objections were directed at remarks made by Pandey during a public event at the Pashupatinath Temple, where the minister allegedly praised China’s one-party rule under President Xi Jinping. According to Bajgain, Pandey’s endorsement of such an authoritarian system starkly contradicts the democratic, pluralistic values that the Nepali Congress stands for. He emphasised that such statements violated the party’s policies and jeopardised Nepal’s democratic integrity and national interests.

Bajgain said Pandey’s public support was a violation of party regulations and an insult to Nepal’s democratic ethos, calling it a “dangerous attempt to shift Nepal’s political discourse towards a one-party model similar to China.”

Bajgain has also accused Pandey of orchestrating a targeted social media campaign to discredit him. He claimed that the minister had used media outlets to manipulate public perception, portraying himself as a virtuous figure while undermining national interests through his controversial decisions.

The allegations go beyond media manipulation. Bajgain suggested that Pandey also influenced the party’s leadership to weaponise the disciplinary committee to silence his opposition and consolidate his power. Bajgain described Pandey’s actions as part of a broader “well-coordinated conspiracy” to suppress dissent and evade accountability for corruption.

In light of these accusations, Bajgain has formally requested the disciplinary committee to initiate an immediate investigation into Pandey’s conduct. He urged the committee to follow party regulations and take appropriate action, ensuring a fair and just resolution.