KATHMANDU: The ruling party, Nepali Congress, has decided to stand firmly behind Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak in the face of mounting pressure for his resignation linked to the visit visa scandal.

A meeting of the party’s current and former office bearers held on Monday reached a decision to defend Home Minister Lekhak.

Minister Lekhak has come under fire after his name surfaced in connection with the misuse of visit visas.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had conducted a raid at the Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport after receiving information that large sums of money were being collected in exchange for facilitating foreign travel through the abuse of visit visas.

In the operation, the CIAA had taken the head of Immigration, Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, into custody and later released him. The Commission also seized his mobile phone and other electronic devices, which were sent for forensic analysis. Following these developments, calls for Home Minister Lekhak’s resignation intensified, with accusations of his involvement in the scam.

Monday’s meeting among Congress leaders discussed the issue thoroughly. Leader Gopalman Shrestha stated that the party concluded that Lekhak is not guilty and there is no reason for him to resign.

“A minister should not be held accountable for a mistake committed by a bureaucrat. Therefore, the party has concluded that there is no need for him to resign,” Shrestha told NepalNews. “The party has decided to protect him as much as possible.”

During the meeting, Home Minister Lekhak gave a detailed briefing on the incident. He reportedly informed the gathering that once he became aware of the CIAA’s probe and Bhattarai’s alleged wrongdoing, he initiated the transfer of the official. Lekhak also expressed grievances over being unfairly targeted.

“I have been attacked through a premeditated conspiracy,” Lekhak reportedly told the meeting. “I have no involvement in this matter.”

Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba stood by Lekhak during the meeting, advising him not to panic. Deuba reportedly said, “Such accusations are common in politics. There is no need to be alarmed. Just explain your position clearly. There’s no need to resign.”

A senior party leader said Deuba encouraged Lekhak by stating that a minister cannot be held responsible for the misdeeds of civil servants.

Lekhak also informed the meeting that he has sought time to speak in Tuesday’s parliamentary session to present his side of the story.

Following the meeting, party spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat told the press that Minister Lekhak has no involvement in the visa scandal.

“Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak gave a detailed explanation about the visit visa case. He clearly stated that he has no involvement in it, and there is no fault on his part,” said Mahat. “After hearing him out, we have complete trust in his version. It’s clear he had no role in the scandal.”

Mahat also said that anyone involved in wrongdoing should be brought to justice.

The meeting also discussed the issue of party active membership renewal. General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa briefed the party on the progress of the renewal process and said efforts are underway to resolve disputes in a few districts by the end of Asar (mid-July), according to Deputy General Secretary Jeevan Pariyar.