KATHMANDU: Key leaders of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have assembled in Pokhara to discuss the party’s future course of action after a charge sheet was filed against party chair Rabi Lamichhane.
The 427-page charge sheet, submitted by the District Attorney’s Office to the district court, accuses Lamichhane of fraud and money laundering related to a cooperative.
Vice Chair DP Aryal, along with leaders Shishir Khanal and Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, traveled to Pokhara at Lamichhane’s invitation. Swarnim Wagle met Lamichhane on Saturday while several other leaders arrived in Pokhara on Sunday morning for discussions.
An RSP source disclosed that Lamichhane has called key party members to deliberate on future plans and strategies.
“The Chair plans to meet with some leaders to discuss the way forward,” the source told Khabarhub on condition of anonymity.
The party has yet to appoint an acting chair following Lamichhane’s arrest.
“A decision on the acting president will likely follow the registration of this case,” a party leader told Khabarhub.
Lamichhane had previously opposed certain members’ aspirations for the acting chair role.
In addition to Lamichhane, his wife Nikita Poudel and other individuals and entities face legal action.
The government attorney’s office has filed cases against 44 individuals and eight companies in connection to cooperative fraud, which led to Lamichhane’s arrest in Kathmandu on October 18.
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