KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is facing significant internal turmoil after its chairperson, Rabi Lamichhane, was charged with three serious offenses, including money laundering, in the Kaski District Court on Sunday.
One of the charges involves damages of Rs 270 million for money laundering against the former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.
In response to the charges of organized crime, money laundering, and cooperative fraud, Lamichhane has been suspended from the House of Representatives, putting his position at risk for the second time. While RSP leaders have protested the suspension, arguing it was a rushed decision motivated by revenge, the party is now grappling with the fallout.
On Monday, a group of RSP lawmakers, led by Sobita Gautam, met Speaker Devraj Ghimire to voice concerns over the suspension.
What’s next for RSP?
The party is now in a leadership crisis. Following Lamichhane’s arrest on October 18, RSP had not appointed an acting chairperson until Sunday when the charges were filed.
However, the party’s secretariat meeting on Monday selected D.P. Aryal, the deputy chairperson, as acting chairperson. Despite earlier discussions about appointing an acting leader during Lamichhane’s custody, Aryal had initially urged the party to wait until the judicial process was completed before making a decision.
After consulting with Aryal and Parliamentary Party deputy leader Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, Lamichhane appointed Aryal as the acting chairperson, in line with party protocol. Swarnim Wagle, another deputy chairperson, had been suggested for the role but declined due to personal reasons.
The path forward
The outcome of Lamichhane’s case remains uncertain, and his future leadership depends on the court’s decision. If Lamichhane is released, he will resume his role as chairperson; if convicted and imprisoned, Aryal will continue to lead the party in the interim.
While Aryal’s appointment follows party protocol, it raises questions due to his controversial past and the fact that Wagle had the right to take over but showed no interest in doing so. Sources suggest Wagle wanted to take charge only after the party’s national convention.
Lamichhane’s supporters continue to view him as the party’s most viable leader, but analysts argue that the RSP must avoid making him untouchable.
Instead, the party should focus on energizing its leadership and organizational structure to better represent the public and move beyond the current crisis.
If Lamichhane is convicted and sent to jail, the party will face the challenge of appointing a new chairperson, and the upcoming national convention could be delayed or undermined.
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