KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of some of his party’s lawmakers in flood-affected areas, warning them against unnecessary visits, publicity stunts and inappropriate behaviour.
Lamichhane criticised lawmakers who visited flood-hit areas of Nuwakot and Rasuwa following Wednesday’s devastating floods and allegedly filmed unnecessary videos and engaged in publicity activities.
He also urged party lawmakers not to create additional difficulties for people and officials working in the affected areas.
According to a leader present at the meeting, Lamichhane said the party needed to exercise restraint during the disaster.
“We need to work with great restraint. Let’s not go to flood-affected areas unnecessarily and engage in stunts. I felt embarrassed seeing photos of many of our lawmakers. Please don’t do this,” Lamichhane was quoted as saying.
“We have come here to work. If we can help, let’s work; if we cannot, let’s remain silent and contribute from wherever we are. I felt bad seeing people who are working on the ground being unnecessarily abused instead of being supported and coordinated with.”
Another lawmaker present at the meeting said Lamichhane also instructed party members not to share unverified information on social media.
He expressed concern that some lawmakers had shared unverified content, including graphic material, which could increase fear and anxiety among the public.
“Some of our lawmakers have been sharing unverified material. Sharing extremely disturbing content appears to be increasing fear among people. So even before sharing something small, we need to study it,” Lamichhane said.
He reminded lawmakers that their social media accounts are also a source of information for the wider public.
“Your social media account may mean little to you, but for the general public it is a source of information. So let’s exercise restraint and not do anything that creates division in society,” he said.
Repeatedly ignoring instructions
Lamichhane also expressed frustration that some lawmakers had repeatedly repeated the same mistakes despite being instructed to correct their behaviour.
Referring to lawmakers including Jwala Sangraula and Ashika Tamang, he said he had tried several times to remind some party members about their conduct but that they continued to make the same mistakes.
“We are all deeply saddened. We may be extremely dissatisfied with those who have failed to do their work, but there is an appropriate place to express that dissatisfaction,” Lamichhane said.
“Let’s not go to places where people are suffering and turn it into a spectacle. I can see senior leaders as well as lawmakers here. Please make sure this message reaches everyone.”
He said the country was in mourning and festivals were approaching, urging party members to focus on supporting rescue and relief efforts rather than celebrations.
“Instead of thinking about having fun, we should think about how to overcome this crisis, how to boost the morale of the security forces and how to support them,” he said.
Party leaders Manish Jha, Ganesh Parajuli, Samikshya Baskota and others also said complaints about lawmakers’ conduct had been received from the public. They stressed that lawmakers should recognise their mistakes and work to correct them.
Party briefs Lamichhane on flood response
During the meeting, party spokesperson Jagadish Kharel and other leaders briefed Lamichhane on the party’s activities in flood-affected areas and the overall situation.
Lamichhane also sought updates on international assistance and Nepal’s relations and coordination with its two neighbouring countries.
Party leaders said foreign assistance should be accepted carefully to avoid unnecessary complications similar to those experienced during the 2015 earthquake.
Lamichhane said the party was working in coordination with Prime Minister Balendra Shah and other concerned sides and was maintaining communication with relevant stakeholders to make appropriate decisions.
Leaders at the meeting also discussed the need for better coordination with local governments. They said local governments themselves had suffered extensive damage to physical infrastructure, making coordination and response efforts more difficult.
Following Lamichhane’s instructions, RSP Whip Krantishikha Dhital also urged lawmakers to avoid unnecessary publicity and not to visit flood-affected areas unless their presence was required.
Lamichhane had earlier on Sunday spoken by telephone with heads of local governments in the flood-affected areas. Local representatives told him that they were facing difficulties coordinating with the federal government and complained that, in some cases, provincial and federal authorities had carried out activities without informing local government chiefs.
Later on Sunday, Lamichhane also held talks with Bagmati Province Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Thapa at his office in Banasthali.
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