Kathmandu: In a surprising turn of events, Krishna Hari Karna Pushkar, the Secretary at the Office of the Vice President, has come under scrutiny for directly lobbying Prime Minister Balen Shah for a high-level political post.
With his mandatory retirement from the civil service approaching on July 8, Pushkar reportedly sent a series of supplicant messages to the Prime Minister, seeking a smooth transition into a new role. In these communications, the veteran bureaucrat presented two distinct options for his future: being appointed as the Chief Secretary, the pinnacle of the administrative service, or being selected for a diplomatic mission as an ambassador.
The messages revealed a deeply deferential tone, with Pushkar acknowledging that the window for the Chief Secretary position was virtually closed without the Prime Minister’s “special attention.” Consequently, he pivoted his focus toward a diplomatic career, informing the Prime Minister that he had already submitted his candidacy following the government’s recent call for ambassadorial applications. In his plea, he requested the Prime Minister’s “guidance and necessary support,” portraying himself as an obedient subordinate ready to follow any official orders.
Pushkar, who previously held a powerful position at the Ministry of Finance, attempted to leverage a personal connection by highlighting that he shares the same home district as the Prime Minister. He specifically mentioned his permanent residence in Jaleshwor, Mahottari, in an apparent bid to build rapport. However, this unconventional method of seeking a political appointment led to immediate legal repercussions.
The situation escalated on Thursday when a team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office took Pushkar into custody from his residence in Kapan. The Secretary was detained for approximately seven hours for questioning regarding his direct messaging to the head of government. This rare detention of a high-ranking sitting official has sparked intense discussion regarding the ethical boundaries of civil servants seeking political favours as they approach the end of their administrative careers.
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