Kathmandu, November 5, 2026 — Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has denied allegations of financial misconduct related to the party's battle for official recognition, describing a leaked audio recording involving Inam Sapkota as part of a politically motivated conspiracy.
In a video message released on Thursday, Thapa said the party's legal and political efforts to secure official recognition had been conducted without financial compromise.
“There has been zero financial compromise, not even a single cent, in our legal and political battle for the party’s official status,” Thapa said.
The controversy involves an audio recording featuring Sapkota, who is currently in police custody. Thapa called for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the recording, arguing that an impartial inquiry would establish what was genuine and what was fabricated.
He also rejected media speculation that he had been secretly meeting senior political leaders late at night out of fear.
Clarifying his recent meeting with CPN (UML) Chair KP Sharma Oli, Thapa said the discussion was strictly official. He explained that, as the leader of the Nepali Congress-led Madhesh provincial government, he needed to hold discussions to secure a vote of confidence within the coming week.
Gagan Kumar Thapa has been elected Nepali Congress president with 6,584 votes, defeating Shyam Krishna Khadgi as vote counting for other office-bearer positions awaits.
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Thapa also criticized the government over what he described as its failure to address major public concerns, including economic stagnation, employment generation, the rights of squatters and the rehabilitation of people affected by floods.