The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), or CPN-UML, has condemned the burning of its election flag during a public gathering held to welcome Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane in Dang district ahead of elections.
The incident occurred Thursday evening at Birendra Chowk in Tulsipur, Dang, where supporters had assembled to receive Lamichhane upon his arrival. During the gathering, a group of individuals allegedly chanted slogans against CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and burned a flag bearing the UML’s election symbol, the sun.
UML Announces Legal Action
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel described the act as disorderly and unlawful. “Anarchy and hooliganism are not new; they are crimes. Those who burn flags and hurt the sentiments of others do not deserve respect. Such elements will be rejected by the people through elections,” Pokharel said.
Pokharel is also the CPN-UML candidate for the House of Representatives from the Dang-2 constituency. He said the party would file complaints with the Election Commission and the local administration regarding the incident.
The UML Dang district committee issued a statement condemning the act. District Chairperson Shiv Kumar Acharya said the burning of the party’s flag was an attack on the faith and sentiments of UML supporters and called for those responsible to be brought under legal action.
Representatives of UML-affiliated organizations — the All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) and Youth Association Nepal — met Chief District Officer Bishwaprakash Aryal and submitted a memorandum demanding legal action against those involved within 24 hours.
RSP Denies Involvement
RSP Dang district chairperson Binay Ghimire denied his party’s involvement. He said infiltrators and unwanted elements may have burned the UML flag in an attempt to create confusion.
“When Chairman Rabi Lamichhane arrived in Tulsipur via Surkhet, there was an enthusiastic public presence to welcome him. Some infiltrators and undesirable elements attempted to create a misleading environment by burning the UML flag,” Ghimire said.
The incident has heightened political tensions in Dang ahead of the elections. Authorities have not issued further details regarding any investigation.
