Kathmandu, November 9:  Medical college entrepreneur and pro-royalist activist Durga Prasai has alleged that Youth and Sports Minister Bablu Gupta paid Victor Paudel 2 crore (20 million Nepali Rupees) to secure the ministerial position.

Prasai, who had visited the squatter settlements after the deadline given by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) to demolish them had passed and demolition was reportedly about to begin, made the accusation. Paudel is the same individual who played a crucial role in the election victory of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah. He is the operator of the social media page named ‘Routine of Nepal Band’ and is considered close to Mayor Shah.

Prasai assured the residents of the squatter settlement that he would not allow the demolitions to take place. He also stated that Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah was causing the displacement of the poor and the proletariat class.