KATHMANDU: The CPN (Unified Socialist) has issued a formal clarification notice to central leader Ram Kumari Jhakri following her earlier public criticism of party chair Madhav Kumar Nepal, who is currently facing legal and constitutional challenges related to the Patanjali land scandal.

The party’s Central Disciplinary Commission sent the notice on Tuesday (July 1), granting her three days to respond.

Jhakri had made the comments on Asar 15 (June 29) during a training event organized by the party’s youth wing in Butwal. In that address, she questioned the legitimacy of the party leadership, stating, “From a legal and constitutional standpoint, there is a problem with the chairperson. Many other members are facing similar issues. We cannot continue forward with a dead carcass on our shoulders.”

Highlighting the crisis, Jhakri called for an early general convention to restructure the party’s leadership. She argued that with the ongoing legal battles faced by Chair Nepal, including his involvement in the Patanjali land case, the party must move quickly to elect new leadership. “It’s not about running away from the crisis,” she said, “We must reorganize and move forward either by holding an early general convention or by appointing new leadership.”

Chairperson Madhav Kumar Nepal has been charged in connection with the Patanjali land case and was released on bail of Rs 3.5 million by the Special Court. His parliamentary membership has been suspended amid the ongoing investigation.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a corruption case against Nepal and 92 others, accusing them of illegally transferring land in Kavrepalanchok allocated under a land ceiling exemption to Patanjali Yogpeeth and its affiliated Ayurvedic company.

Jhakri’s demand for party restructuring and sharp criticism of Nepal’s leadership have prompted the party to initiate disciplinary proceedings, viewing her statements as a breach of organizational discipline and decorum.