What said the so-called United Marxist Leninist influential leader K.P. Sharma Oli, Saturday June 25, 2011, over the case of thrashing of a media person by one of his cadres will perhaps go a long way in determining the intent of Nepali political leadership of their commitment to the notion of free media?
Oli repeatedly thanked the Chairman of UML affiliated Youth Organization, Mahesh Basnet, for providing safe haven to Parsuram Basnet- who had ordered thrashing a media person, Khilanath Dhakal, in Biratnagar. Basnet is the chief of Biratnagar wing of the UML Youth outfit.
Oli was making a lecture at an interaction program organized by Mandan Bhandari Intellectual Forum in Lalitpur.
“I would like to thank Mahesh Basnet because he has been rebuking Maoists’ atrocities- he has done what our top leaders have failed to do so far,” said Oli and added, “Mahesh did right by accepting that Parsuram was under his protection. He has said that if there were adequate proofs he will present Parshuram Basnet before the court.”
“Mahesh has proved that he is a dedicated UML cadre”, Oli added.
To recall, former finance minister and UML politburo member Surendra Pandey had very freshly alleged that K.P. Sharma Oli had secret links with criminal elements, protects them and supervises illegal activities plus Oli too enjoys tacit India links.
Media reports had it that Parsuram Basnet was carrying out illegal activities under direct protection of Mr. Oli.
“I was out of the country for 2/4 days. In my absence so many things have happened. I was alleged of protecting Parsuram. Being in the Maldives, had I kept Parsuram in my pocket”, he questioned.
Oli’s open challenge to the media has also raised the question that whether the media that remained largely united for the ouster of so-called atrocious monarchy will be able to press the government to bring the culprits behind the bar? Perhaps not, because, say observers, Nepali media is as divided as the political parties of Nepal.
Oli, Mahesh and Parsuram have proved themselves to be more powerful in the current order than the then executive King Gyanendra Shah.
