KATHMANDU- Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, Balram Adhikari, has claimed he has no involvement in the recently surfaced audio controversy, calling it as a conspiracy to assassinate his character.

During a press conference held at the ministry he said he is ready to face any punishment if proven guilty.

He claimed that it is a clear attempt of character assassination. “Those who failed to fulfill their personal interests have resorted to such tactics,” he said. He claimed some individuals tried to pressure him regarding the transfer of a government official, and after he refused, the audio was made public. He stressed that,” i have no involvement with the leaked audio clip and there is not even a single bit of my voice on it.”

However, Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister Rajkumar Gupta, who was involved in the same case, resigned soon after the audio clip was made public.