“Blame Where It’s Due”Gagan Thapa Speaks Up for Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak
Amid heated political debates and mounting pressure from the opposition, Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa has stepped forward to defend Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. Thapa has called the opposition’s demand for Lekhak’s resignation “unjustified” and stressed that the Home Minister should not be made the scapegoat in the recent visit visa scandal.
The controversy involves alleged misconduct by some government employees regarding visit visas. While the opposition parties are demanding accountability from the top, including calls for the Home Minister to step down, Thapa insists the investigation is clearly centered on the involvement of government officials not the minister himself.
Speaking at a recent press event, Thapa stated, “The Home Minister cannot be blamed for everything that happens in the ministry. There is a clear difference between operational-level misconduct and policy-level failure.” He emphasized that if wrongdoing is found, those directly responsible government employees must face legal consequences.
Thapa's remarks have stirred conversations both inside and outside the Parliament. While some believe that political leaders should take moral responsibility in such matters, others support Thapa’s view that ministers cannot be expected to resign over every issue linked to their ministries unless there is direct evidence of their involvement.
According to Thapa, calling for Ramesh Lekhak’s resignation without concrete proof is not just unfair but politically motivated. “This kind of pressure only weakens the spirit of fair investigation,” he added. He urged all sides to allow law enforcement and investigating agencies to do their work without interference or unnecessary political drama.
The opposition, however, continues to demand stronger action and accountability from the government, arguing that high-level leadership must set an example when allegations surface. They claim that the visit visa issue is part of a broader pattern of administrative mismanagement under Lekhak's leadership.
But Thapa dismissed these arguments, saying the Home Minister has been cooperating fully with investigative bodies and has shown no intention of obstructing the process. “Transparency is key, and Minister Lekhak has been transparent,” Thapa said.
Supporters of Thapa’s statement say his defense reflects a more mature understanding of how responsibility should be assigned within a large bureaucratic system. They argue that blaming ministers for every internal misconduct sets a dangerous precedent that may discourage capable individuals from taking public office.
This isn’t the first time Ramesh Lekhak has faced political heat, but with influential voices like Gagan Thapa speaking in his support, the government appears to be standing its ground. The ongoing investigation continues, and all eyes are now on the findings that will determine the next steps in this highly publicized case.
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