Gagan Thapa on disputed audio: Not a single paisa has changed hands in fight over party's authenticity

Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has said that no financial transaction took place in the political and legal fight over the party's authenticity. Issuing a video message on Facebook on Thursday, he said, "Not even a single paisa has been exchanged."

Thapa gave the clarification after his name was linked to an audio clip made public involving a man described as a middleman, Inam Sapkota. He said his hands were clean and that the party was ready for an impartial investigation of any kind. He said the investigation should separate fact from fiction, in his words, "milk from milk, water from water."

Thapa said he had not taken any morally weak position and claimed that a sponsored conspiracy had been hatched to raise questions about his character. He alleged that the conspiracy against him came after he raised questions about the government's wrongdoings.

Sapkota is currently in police custody for investigation.