UML leader Thapa questions Madhav Nepal’s political morality over corruption case

KATHMANDU: Surya Thapa, central member of CPN-UML and Member of Parliament, has strongly criticized CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, raising serious questions about his political morality.

Thapa’s remarks come amid an ongoing corruption case filed against Nepal at the Special Court by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).

In a strongly worded Facebook post on Tuesday morning, Thapa expressed disappointment that Nepal has not stepped down from party leadership despite the case. He linked this with the past split of the UML and the current political landscape, describing Nepal’s reluctance to resign as a sign of “severe moral collapse and political degeneration.”

To reinforce his argument, Thapa cited a previous statement by Unified Socialist’s own Standing Committee member Ram Kumari Jhakri, who had said that one should not carry the “burden of a corpse,” implying leaders facing serious allegations should resign. Quoting this, Thapa said, “Even when his own colleague says such things, his unwillingness to step down during such a serious legal challenge is a reflection of deep ethical erosion.”

Thapa further argued that Nepal should have paved the way for his departure from leadership until the verdict is out. “After the CIAA filed the case based on the Public Accounts Committee’s recommendation and thorough investigation, I had expected him to step aside and say, ‘If I’m acquitted by the court, I will return to leadership.’”

Thapa also mocked Unified Socialist General Secretary Ghanashyam Bhusal for reportedly issuing a circular to silence internal voices demanding Nepal’s resignation. Referring to it sarcastically, Thapa said, “To issue a circular just to shut down voices from within the party calling for resignation — such theatrics can only be seen in this so-called Kantipuri of Alakapuri dreamed of by Bhanubhakta Acharya.”

Thapa’s post reflects deepening tensions between former UML allies and brings renewed focus to issues of accountability and leadership ethics within Nepal’s political parties.