Rabi Lamichhane's party navigates political storms amid fraud charges

Rabi Lamichhane's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) rapidly ascended Nepal's political landscape after its formation in June 2022, fueled by Lamichhane's promise to combat corruption. Within six months, the party secured an unexpected electoral victory and joined Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's coalition government. Lamichhane himself was appointed deputy prime minister and home minister, alongside other RSP lawmakers joining the cabinet.

However, the party's swift rise was soon met with significant challenges. A citizenship dispute led to Lamichhane's temporary removal from all his positions, including his parliamentary seat and party chairmanship. Undeterred, he declared an ambition to aim for the prime minister's office in the next election. Following a by-election in Chitwan-2, Lamichhane secured an overwhelming victory, returning to Parliament and reclaiming his ministerial roles in March 2024.

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We will ring the bell in the minds of the corrupt.

The political journey took another dramatic turn as calls for an investigation into Lamichhane's alleged involvement in cooperative fraud intensified. A parliamentary inquiry committee was formed, but political alliances shifted, leading to the RSP being pushed into opposition. Lamichhane was subsequently arrested in October 2024 amid multiple cooperative fraud investigations, with charges later expanded to include organized crime and money laundering. Despite these crises, the party, under Lamichhane's direction from prison, has asserted it emerges stronger from each challenge.

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From every crisis the party has faced, it only came out stronger.