KATHMANDU, April 10: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has apologized in the case of the release of an audiotape in which the party’s lawmaker Dhaka Kumar Shrestha is heard demanding Rs 20 million from medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai.

In the House of Representatives meeting on Monday, the chief whip of the RSP parliamentary party, Santosh Pariyar, apologized for the problem caused to the dignity of the members of the House of Representatives.

"We would like to apologize for the problem caused to your honor through our member of the House of Representatives," he said. “We will not be disturbed by this incident. National parties should stay away from such incidents.” 

An audiotape was released in which Shrestha, a member of the House of Representatives, is heard asking Prasai, a businessman, to help him by saying that he had to pay Rs 20 million to a person close to Rabi Lamichhane to become the health minister.

After the audio was made public, Chief Whip Pariyar Said  that the RSP has relieved Shrestha of responsibility and instructed him to give an explanation within 72 hours and that the party's disciplinary committee is investigating.

However, he said, this is not the first time such an incident has happened.

“This incident is not the first in the politics of Nepal. Such incidents have happened in the past. If the truth of all of them can be investigated, we feel that our commitment to democracy will be more committed," said Chief Whip Pariyar.

 
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