Nepal government is mulling investigating the bribery allegations with a possible Maoist-China connection, after demands for a probe were raised by political parties and citizens groups alike.
The case involving UCPN-Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara surfaced after an audio tape was leaked to the media in which he was reportedly heard asking a Chinese official Rs50 crore, apparently for weaning away Madhesi lawmakers ahead of the seventh prime ministerial run off, and has led to an uproar in the country.
A demonstration was held in front of the Chinese embassy by youth organisation, Independent Youth Group Nepal.
The members of the group demonstrated against the reported interference by China in the political affairs of Nepal, and handed over a protest note to an embassy official.
Taking serious note of the allegations, the Nepalese cabinet said it is considering establishing a probe committee to look into the incident.
"The government will consult the Constituent Assembly chairman Nemwang and the Attorney General on the issue of forming a probe panel to look into on the audio tape scandal," said government spokesman Shanker Pokharel.
The next cabinet meeting will take a decision on the matter, he said.
Earlier, Nepali Congress (NC) members and leaders of civil society submitted letters of protest to the chairman of the constituent assembly (CA) Subash Chandra Nemwang.
A delegation comprising NC leaders, including chief whip in the Paliament, Laxman Ghimire, and general secretary Bimalendra Nidhi submitted a memorandum to Nemwang and expressed concern over the scandal.
Maoist leader Mahara was purportedly heard demanding Rs500 million from a Chinese official allegedly to buy 50 lawmakers to ensure Prachanda's victory in the prime ministerial run-off.
Ahead of the seventh round of voting in the parliament, a delegation of civil society leaders also submitted a memorandum to Nemwang demanding that the voting be postponed and the allegations be thoroughly probed.
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