Hom Karki

Nepali Ambassador to Qatar Maya Kumari Sharma, whom the government recently decided to call back for her controversial remarks, has refused to resign from the post.

Following a formal letter from the Qatari Ambassador to Nepal to Foreign Minister Madhav Prasad Ghimire on Wednesday asking the latter to recall Sharma—saying that her controversial activities and remarks may affect bilateral ties, the government sought agreement from the Maoists on the matter. In response, UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal called up Sharma on Friday, suggesting that she cooperate with the government’s move.

Sharma, however, refused to resign. In her interview with the Doha-based English newspaper, she said that she was responsible to the government rather than any party. “I was appointed by the Nepal government. So I am responsible to it. The government has not sent any letter to me asking to quit,” she said.

Talking to the Post on the phone, she said she is not a Maoist supporter anymore. She added that she could not resign as suggested by Dahal.

Appointed by the Baburam Bhattarai-led government on May 9, 2012, Sharma hit the headlines for her controversial remarks and character. On June 24, the Qatari Foreign Affairs Ministry sought clarification from her over her reported remarks that ‘Qatar is an open jail’. She clarified her remarks and apologised.

The Nepal Ministry of Foreign Affairs also questioned Sharma for the remarks and her activities in trying to deport Nepali migrants illegally. An official at the Foreign Ministry said it is good for Sharma to resign from the post rather than being fired. She was the vice-chairperson of Nepal National Employees’ Association, a sister organisation of the UCPN (Maoist), and a section officer at the Chitwan branch of the Agriculture Development Bank.

Published on: 25 September 2013 | The Kathmandu Post