Former Prime Minister Oli Claims He Did Not Testify to Commission, Former Member Sharma Refutes
Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli claimed that he did not provide a statement to the commission; however, former commission member Vijnanraj Sharma has refuted this assertion. Commission staff visited Oli’s residence in Bhaktapur and recorded a 31-minute statement. The audio recording and report have now been submitted to the committee led by former Chief Justice Prem Raj Karki. Kathmandu, June 3.
“At that time, I said I wouldn’t give a statement to the commission. I didn’t give a statement, but the commission published it as if I had. I don’t want to get involved in that confusion. The commission had sent me a questionnaire, which I refused to accept and understand. I sent back a letter stating I would not recognize the commission and would not submit a statement. Without that acknowledgement, they published the statement. Perhaps they did it to save their dignity, and I have nothing to say about that. I never gave a statement,” Oli said during a program organized by the UML’s Organization Department on Wednesday.
This was Oli’s first public appearance following his defeat in Jhapa-5 in the February 21 elections. He reiterated that he never provided a statement to the Karki Commission. In response, former AIG and commission member and spokesperson Vijnanraj Sharma stated, “If he had not submitted any statement, how could his views be included in the written report? There is a recorded statement of his. What I spoke of stands as is, while the parts where he said ‘this is not my statement’ in ambiguous terms remain preserved.”
After commission chair Gauribahadur Karki requested the “statement report,” a four-page report was prepared and submitted. Not only the commission’s questions but also the written answers provided by Oli were delivered to him by the author. Before the statement began, Oli questioned, “No one asked me anything, and my name was not even mentioned. Why should I give a statement?” During the interaction with commission staff, Oli reportedly said, “After Ramesh Lekhak’s statement was submitted and my name was not mentioned, I decided that the former prime minister’s statement was not needed.”
After initially refusing to give a statement, Oli softened and submitted a prepared 5-7 page written document. Commission personnel reportedly stated, “I am a staff member from the commission. If you do not wish to answer, I will prepare the report.” Oli responded, “The only house that was burned down due to fire in Tehrathum is mine. Has the commission questioned those responsible?” During the Wednesday program, Oli accused Gauribahadur Karki’s commission of being formed with the intent to fault him and others, citing that Karki had claimed, “So-and-so must be punished.”