KATHMANDU: Seventeen months ago, a letter penned by Deputy Speaker Indira Rana to the US Embassy in Kathmandu has ignited a firestorm of controversy.
The missive, originally intended to secure visas for Nepali youths, has now thrust Rana into a heated debate concerning her alleged involvement in adoption irregularities and overseas placements.
In the letter dated February 26, 2023, Deputy Speaker Rana, affiliated with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) under Rabi Lamichhane’s leadership, formally requested visas for herself and six others, including Upendra Gautam, Sushma Lama, Rajesh Lama Tamang, Sujan Gharti Magar, and Dhan Prasad Gurung.
The purpose cited was their participation in the NGO CSW67 Forum scheduled in New York from March 6 to March 17, 2023.
“I am scheduled to attend the NGO CSW67 Forum in New York,” Rana stated in the letter, urging expedited visa processing for the delegation due to the event’s demanding schedule.
She underscored the forum’s significance in advancing women’s empowerment, expressing gratitude for the American invitation.
However, the leaked communication has sparked outrage within the ruling Nepali Congress party, which has called for Rana’s immediate resignation.
Ramhari Khatiwada, Chairman of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee, condemned Rana’s actions as a breach of official conduct, demanding accountability for her purported mishandling of funds related to earlier engagements.
As pressure mounts, calls for Rana’s resignation intensify ahead of the upcoming House of Representatives session.
Despite the mounting controversy, Deputy Speaker Rana and her party, the RSP, have yet to issue a formal response to the allegations.
Speaker Devraj Ghimire has expressed concern over the unfolding situation but refrained from making any definitive statements.
Meanwhile, discussions within the party regarding Rana’s letter to the US Embassy in Kathmandu are ongoing, as stakeholders deliberate the appropriate course of action in light of the growing public outcry.
RSP Chief Whip Santosh Pariyar acknowledged the media’s coverage of the controversy and confirmed Speaker Ghimire’s involvement in the unfolding developments.
However, he clarified that Speaker Ghimire has not made any definitive decisions regarding the matter at hand.
