KATHMANDU: Dr. Mukul Dhakal, the General Secretary and Spokesperson of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has been suspended following a decision made during the party’s central committee meeting on late Wednesday.

The meeting cited breaches of party discipline and rules as reasons for his suspension, which will last for seven days.

In his place, Kabindra Burlakoti has been appointed as the acting General Secretary.

Additionally, the meeting appointed Manish Jha as the new spokesperson.

The decision was announced publicly after concerns were raised during the meeting regarding the live broadcast of proceedings, where Dhakal protested by symbolically covering his mouth with a blacl band, amid objections from other central members.

Dhakal has publicly criticized party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane, alleging that Lamichhane has unfairly targeted him while avoiding accountability for various party issues, including the cooperative case.

Tensions escalated further when Dhakal’s request to release a report was denied, leading to heightened internal discord within RSP, with Dhakal and his supporters on one side and Lamichhane and other central members on the opposing side.