Minister Jwala Refuses Resignation Calls Amid Balkumari Tragedy Controversy

In the wake of the tragic incident in Lalitpur’s Balkumari, where two youths lost their lives during a protest on December 29, 2023, Minister Prakash Jwala of the Physical Infrastructure and Transport Ministry remains resolute in his decision not to step down despite mounting pressure.

Calls for Jwala’s resignation have been widespread, with him being labeled as the perceived ‘main culprit’ in the Balkumari incident. However, amidst these calls, Jiwan Ram Shrestha, the Central Office Secretary of the Unified Socialist Party, has asserted that Jwala will not resign under any circumstances. Shrestha contends that the mistake was made by others, implying that it would be unjust for the minister to step down.

Despite findings from the Committee of Inquiry pinpointing Minister Jwala as the primary cause of the Balkumari incident, another leader, Jagannath Khatiwada, has stated that there have been no formal discussions or developments within the party regarding Jwala’s resignation. Khatiwada emphasized the lack of formal talks, dispelling rumors about Jwala’s imminent resignation.

Minister Jwala, representing the Samajwadi Party, has vehemently denied the accusations against him, alleging that he is a victim of a biased report driven by political vendetta and anti-corruption measures.

The incident in Balkumari unfolded during a demonstration demanding the opportunity to retake the Employment Permit System (EPS) exam. The Ministry of Home Affairs established an investigation committee, led by Joint Secretary Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, to probe the incident. The committee’s report implicated Minister Jwala as the main culprit, leading to his acknowledgment of moral wrongdoing and subsequent calls for resignation.

However, despite the pressure, the Secretariat of the Unified Socialist Party’s Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal has stated that there have been no formal discussions regarding Jwala’s resignation within the party.