KATHMANDU, Dec 25: CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli on Thursday appeared to take a swipe at Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balendra (Balen) Shah, alleging that several high-profile figures who project themselves as nation-builders are often involved in the use of intoxicants.
Speaking at a programme organised to honour volunteers during the party’s 11th General Convention, Oli remarked that individuals who frequently make headlines or seek public attention are “often found indulging in substance abuse.” He added that he would welcome it if anyone chose to abandon such habits after taking his remarks as a warning.
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While his comments were widely interpreted as a reference to Mayor Shah, Oli did not name anyone directly.
The UML chair contrasted this with what he described as the discipline displayed by party volunteers. He said UML programmes were free from alcohol and drug abuse, unlike many other political gatherings. In a lighter vein, Oli remarked that even chewing tobacco and cigarette smoking were absent among the volunteers, holding them up as an example of responsible conduct.
Emphasising the role of youth in shaping the country’s future, Oli said he was encouraged by the volunteers’ sense of discipline and moral responsibility, arguing that such behaviour was essential for national progress.
