UNMIN Chief Karin Landgren’s report to the UN Security Council on Wednesday in New York has set off an uproar from the entire spectrum of the Nepali establishment.
On Friday, even the usually low-profile President’s office came out swinging against Landgren, calling her remarks “defamatory” and “extremely negligent”. Landgren had told the Security Council that there were three scenarios after UNMIN’s mandate expires on 15 January: Presidential Rule, an army coup or a People’s Revolt. In a statement delivered to the Security Council, Nepal’s UN ambassador Gyan Chandra Acharya called the remarks “highly objectionable… malicious… and based on pure conjecture”.
In a meeting with CA Chairman Subhas Nembwang, President Ram Baran Yadav, said that he was “deeply distressed” by Landgren’s remarks. “He told me he was completely dedicated to uphold democracy and the rule of law”.
Even Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said on Friday: “I am convinced the president has no intention of taking over, and rumours of a people’s revolt are just gossip.” Dahal and Yadav met on Friday at the President’s office.
Nepal’s political leaders went on the offensive, with Prime Minister
Madhav Kumar Nepal pooh-poohing fears that the country was headed back to war when UNMIN left. “Nothing will happen when UNMIN leaves, the Special Committee will take care of integration,” he said in Dhulikhel on Friday.
UNMIN Spokesman Kosmos Biswakarma said Langdren was referring to fears in the public in Nepal about a coup, revolt or presidential rule and they weren't UNMIN’s views.