KATHMANDU:  Mahesh Bartaula, central committee member of CPN-UML and former chief whip of the party, has accused Home Minister Om Aryal of being the main obstacle to peace, security, and a fair election in Nepal ahead of the March 5 House of Representatives polls.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Bartaula claimed that a genuine investigation would reveal Aryal as being responsible behind infiltration and destruction during the peaceful Gen Z youth protests.

He alleged that Aryal has been unable to move beyond jealousy, envy, frustration, and anger, and criticized him for failing to recover looted weapons, boost police morale, or track escaped inmates.

Bartaula further accused Aryal of using false statements and “harmful actions” to incite political leaders and parties, promote unrest, and obstruct the upcoming election.

He claimed Aryal reached his ministerial position not through public mandate but by betraying youth aspirations and collaborating with conspirators.

He argued that Aryal, who has never been elected, is answerable only to conspiracies and personal interests, not to the public, the constitution, or the nation.

Bartaula contrasted Aryal’s approach with leaders who respect the people’s mandate and peaceful democratic processes, asserting that the minister relies on fear, destruction, and deceit to consolidate power.