Kathmandu, July 15 -- Amid growing calls for his resignation over a bribery scandal, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Rajkumar Gupta, a CPN-UML leader, attended the Cabinet meeting on Monday evening. Gupta's name surfaced in a leaked audio allegedly linking him to bribery discussions involving appointments in Kaski district. He allegedly sought Rs7.8 million for a political appointment, and the transfer of a civil servant in Kaski district. The audio release has triggered major political backlash against Gupta, but he has not been able to defend himself.

"It was expected that either Gupta would tender his resignation or Prime Minister KP Oli would sack him, but nothing happened," said a minister.

"Neither any mini...