Home Minister Shakti Basent has apologised for sending his relatives to China in the name of earthquake survivors.  Basnet conceded his mistake while answering questions during the Central Committee meeting of the UPCN (Maoist) on Monday. 

“Actually, I did not have all the information and found that the secretariat had recommended the names,” said Basent during the CC meeting, “But whatever may be the reason, it is my mistake. Don’t raise unnecessary doubts about me. I have become a minister by doing politics among the people. I will correct my mistake."

The debate of UCPN (Maoist) Central Committee that began on December 1 took a new turn after the news reports revealed that Basnet sent Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's grand-daughter, his daughter and nephew, among other close relatives, to China trip in the name of earthquake survivors. 

Even as the leaders were about to finish expressing their views on the political document of Chairman Dahal, UPCN (Maoist) CC members demanded a separate agenda for discussion saying that Basnet’s arbitrary conduct were against party code of conduct. 

UCPN (Maoist) central leaders Devi Khadka, Jhakku Prasad Subedi, Salik Ram Jamarkettal, Urmali Aryal, Santu Darai, Giri Rajmani Pokharel expressed their views on Monday.  Home Minister Basnet and Chairman Dahal spoke after the leaders. 

Chairman Dahal was under pressure to make the issue of Home Minister Basnet as a separate agenda on Monday after continuous questions were raised against him in the past two meetings.  

“The Home Minister has apologised after a debate was held at the party Central Committee meeting. He has promised not to repeat it again,” said spokesperson Dinanath Sharma, “Our party colleagues said that the party ministers have to be accountable for their actions as it is obvious that the activities of ministers become an issue of public concern. The party has given him a chance to correct his fault.”