KATHMANDU: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has accused Rabi Lamichhane, president of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and former Home Minister, of misusing visit visa to obtain American citizenship.
Speaking during Wednesday’s session of the House of Representatives, Minister Lekhak addressed recent floods and landslides in Rasuwa, but also used the opportunity to level serious allegations against Lamichhane.
He claimed that Lamichhane had initially traveled to the United States on a visit visa and later acquired American citizenship while staying there illegally.
“Can someone who enters the U.S. on a visit visa remain there and take citizenship? Isn’t that a misuse of a visit visa?” Lekhak asked rhetorically.
Lekhak further questioned the moral standing of RSP leaders to lecture others on ethical conduct when, according to him, their own party president had committed visa fraud.
“First, Rabi Lamichhane must answer for the misuse of the visa. Can a leader whose party is filled with people who misuse visit visas really preach morality to others?” he said.
He suggested that before demanding accountability from others, the RSP should reflect on its own record.
“The question of morality should begin with oneself, not others,” Lekhak added.
In a broader context, Lekhak criticized RSP members for casting doubts on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s recent foreign visits, including his participation in the United Nations conference in Spain.
“The Prime Minister represents the entire nation—not just his party—when he travels abroad. Spreading baseless rumors about such visits is not acceptable,” he stated.
Lekhak concluded by urging all sides to uphold dignity in the House and begin ethical discourse with self-reflection: “Let’s start with ourselves if we are to establish moral standards in public life.”
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