YCL wants to stir up the FDI issue, Prachanda says no

Nepal 1 TV scandal
YCL wants to stir up the FDI issue, Prachanda says no
Dhamala exercising to attenuate the strike

The BlogGossip Corner
Kathmandu, Aprill 22

Newspersons and other staff of the Nepal 1 TV have locked up the new office building of the television channel in Kathmandu. The Nepal 1 TV is owned by an Indian national Nalini Singh. The television channel based on New Delhi is illegally operating in Nepal for four years.

Though the management succeeded to abort similar movement last year, the Nepal 1 employees (Nepalis only) in Kathmandu finally resorted to strike this time, alleging the management for harassment and demanding editorial freedom and job security.

Before putting an end to all journalistic official activities in the Kamaladi office, a team led by Badri Sigdel met the Speaker of the Parliament and the Information and Communication Minister, and informed them about their strike. The team has urged the government for making clear the legal status of the television.

Reportedly, one of the team leaders met some central leaders of the CPN-Maoists today and asked for help. He is believed to have asked for the YCL stirring up the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) issue.

According to the BlogGossip Corner source, Nalini Singh, on the otherhand, has thrown her trump; she sent Rishi Dhamala to Prachanda and Sujata. It has been claimed that Prachanda has been “enlightened” by the “number one reporter” of Nepal about the “political and strategical loss” that the Maoists may bear if they speak anything against India and Indian Investement in Nepal at this “critical time”. It is believed that Prachanda has ordered the YCL to keep mum despite its interest in the issue. Albeit, Mr. Mahara, the Minister of Information and Communication is said to be serious about the legal status of the television channel that is illegally operating in the coutnry for four years.

Meanwhile, a Nepal 1 TV source claimed that rather than the case of editorial freedom and job security the apple of dicord is harrassement and nepotism. “Nalini Singh uses abusive words to Nepali employees,” she said. “For Nalini only Rishi Dhamala is important.”

Lately it has been learnt that Nalini Singh is arriving Kathmandu Monday evening. Among a few persons she will meet first are said to be Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Sujata Koirala and Rishi Dhamala.

Also, it has been learnt that the management is trying to offer “advantage” to Badri Sigdel and Raj Kumar Regmi to attenuate the movement.

Despite the strike in Kathmandu, the Nepal 1 is being aired from Delhi. The strikers have reportedly threatened the freelances who are cashing in on the strike and reporting for the television from Kathmandu.