KATHMANDU: KP Sharma Oli has come under fire from former UML vice-chair Bhim Rawal, who claims that he is encouraging dictatorial behavior within the party and shielding corruption. Rawal claimed that Oli used his power to stop legal action against some of the people involved in the Lalita Niwas land fraud during a press conference in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Even though Supreme Court Justice Kumar Regmi and Nabin Paudel, son of UML vice-chair Bishnu Paudel, were involved in the corruption case, Rawal said Oli told the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) not to press charges against them. Insisting that such actions are a misuse of power, he questioned if restoring the illegally obtained land warranted releasing them from accountability.

The illegal purchase of government land in Baluwatar, known as the Lalita Niwas case, has implicated a number of well-known individuals. According to Rawal, Oli's actions go against the accountability principle and show an effort to protect powerful people from the law, which further erodes public confidence in the government.

He also criticized Oli's leadership style, claiming that his arrogant and exclusive methods had led to internal conflict inside the company. Rawal pointed to his own expulsion from the party and claimed that Oli's bias and refusal to engage in sincere dialogue were the reasons behind the unjust decision.

Rawal expanded his criticism to cover Nepal's broader political landscape by charging major parties with ideological hollowness, pervasive corruption, and allowing foreign interference in domestic affairs. He asserted that the abuse of power by influential people to influence governance for personal gain had led to a rise in public discontent.

Oli claimed to be seeking socialism, while Rawal denied this and questioned the sincerity of such promises. Oli's statement is untrustworthy, he insisted, because of his actions, which appear to prioritize his own political and personal interests over the general welfare.

Rawal and two other officials were ousted for rejecting the UML's proposal to use money from a controversial businessman to construct a new party headquarters. After accusing them of undermining the party's integrity, the UML secretariat revoked their memberships, further escalating internal divisions.

The conflict highlights widespread dissatisfaction with Nepal's political elite as well as growing conflicts within the UML. Rawal's criticisms draw attention to problems with accountability, governance, and the erosion of democratic principles under Oli's leadership.