Kathmandu, July 16: Dr Mukul Dhakal, who has been recently dismissed as General Secretary of Rastriya Swatantra Party, has made serious allegations against the party chairperson Rabi Lamichhane, and vice chairperson Dr Swarnim Wagle, sparking a fresh debate on foreign interference in internal politics. He accused the party leadership of making efforts to transform Nepal into a state of India or Bhutan in exchange for helping Lamichhane become Prime Minister of Nepal.
The accusations have divided political analysts. Some experts pointed out at the historical political interference of neighbouring countries, India and China, and foreign powers, including the European Union and the United States of America.
On the other hand, others have called for addressing internal weakness instead of blaming external forces.
The dependence on foreign countries for donations even during normal situation and disasters like earthquakes, and COVID-19 has intensified the country’s vulnerabilities to external pressures, they argued.
India ranks first in the list of countries that help Nepal. Other countries like China, the US, and European ones have helped the country. It is not wise to spoil Nepal’s relations with the neighbours by blaming them without evidence, they are of the view. Instead, a poor country like Nepal should be able to benefit by bringing them onboard.
If Dhakal’s accusations are substantiated, it could have serious implications for the country’s foreign relations, the experts said, demanding investigations into the matter.
