POKHARA, November 17: The sacked Minister for Physical Infrastructure, Urban Development and Transport Management of Gandaki Province, Kumar Khadka, has warned of exposing the wrongdoings of Chief Minister Krishna Chandra Nepali Pokharel by making public his sensational audio. Two days after his dismissal, Khadka held a press conference and said that he would reveal the audio clip involving the chief minister to the public.
"What crime did I commit to get fired?" he questioned, adding, "If the chief minister does not give a satisfactory answer, I will publicize his secret audio and video."
In response to the queries of media persons whether he would keep the audio-video secret if the chief minister gives a satisfactory answer, he said, "I will not speak more about this issue. But it's not just a bargaining chip.” Khadka, however, said that he would definitely disclose the audio and video clips before he takes his last breath.
Khadka said that he did not know the reason why he was dismissed from the ministerial post. He said that he suspects the allegations made by a sitting minister of the province and the chief minister's opposition to the construction of a bridge costing Rs 1 billion as the major reasons for his dismissal. He also said that since he had objected to the provision of facilities to former officials, it might not have gone down well with the chief minister.
“After the election, there is a proposal to give facilities to the former officials. There were two other ministers along with me who were against the idea and we said that we would resign collectively when the proposal was forwarded. I might have been fired due to this issue,” said Khadka.
Khadka claimed that Minister for Law, Communications and Provincial Assembly Affairs BIndu Kumar Thapa was unpopular in constituency 2 of Kaski district.
"When I released the budget for the ward, Thapa made allegations against me," said the sacked minister, adding, "He too allocated the budget for the ward and used it to build a road in front of his house and on the land he had plotted."
Khadka, a leader of the Nepali Congress, said that he would not quit his party even though he was insulted by such a disgraceful exit.
"I am a person who has been with the Nepali Congress since my student days, so there is no question of quitting the party because someone insults me. Also, it is the chief minister who insulted me, not the Congress party and the top leaders. That is why I will never leave the Nepali Congress.”