Kathmandu [Nepal], July 16 (HBTV): Nepal's Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Rajkumar Gupta, resigned on Tuesday following a bribery scandal that triggered widespread public and political outrage.

Gupta announced his resignation via Facebook, days after an audio recording surfaced allegedly capturing him accepting a bribe in exchange for influencing political appointments and land-related decisions.

‘It is well known to everyone that my name has been continuously associated with bribery deals for the past few days. Sometimes it seems like I have become the victim for the incident where I have no role. I have now tendered my resignation from the post of Minister of General Administration to the Honorable Prime Minister so that he can help in investigating the allegations and bringing out the truth,’ Gupta stated.

The leaked audio, reportedly recorded between late December 2024 and January 2025, implicates Gupta in a monetary deal involving the appointment of the Land Commission Chair in Kaski district. In the recording, Gupta—also a leader of the CPN-UML—is allegedly heard demanding NPR 7.8 million in exchange for a political appointment and the transfer of a civil servant.

Opposition parties demanded his immediate resignation and legal action, accusing him of breaching public trust and abusing his authority. Civil society organisations and members of the public also expressed outrage, calling for accountability and structural reform.

Gupta has also been accused of pressuring land revenue offices to comply with his directives and threatening inter-ministerial transfers for non-compliance.

The scandal has increased pressure on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Although lawmakers from both the ruling coalition and opposition demanded Gupta’s removal, Oli remained silent initially. The issue was reportedly not discussed in Monday’s cabinet meeting, which Gupta attended.

Following the meeting, Prime Minister Oli held separate discussions with Nepali Congress President and ruling ally Sher Bahadur Deuba, and Janata Samajbadi Party Chairman Upendra Yadav.

Questions have also been raised about the role of Minister for Land Management and Cooperatives, Balaram Adhikari, also from the UML.

Addressing Parliament on Monday, Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal accused the government of shielding corruption and serving the interests of middlemen. He criticised the administration for politicising institutions and sidelining official government mechanisms in favour of brokers.

(ANI)