Kathmandu, December 23
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane has intensified his political engagements. Immediately after being released from Nakhu Prison, he held various political meetings and party activities.
Lamichhane, who was released from the Butwal High Court last Friday, travelled to Kathmandu via Chitwan.
Upon arriving in Kathmandu on Saturday afternoon, he met with the families of injured Gen Z protesters and martyrs. On Sunday, after a welcome and a meeting at the party office, he held discussions with a government team led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki.
Meanwhile, he has already met Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) twice. According to close sources, Balen and Lamichhane held one round of discussions on Sunday.
From Balen’s side, his aides Kumar Ben and Nishchal Basnet participated in the discussion. From the RSP, Vice Chairperson DP Aryal and Central Committee member Asim Shah were present.
One participant said that the meeting held on Monday focused on how the “Desh Bikash Party,” registered by Balen’s close associates, and the RSP could move forward through cooperation.
“Both yesterday’s and today’s discussions have been considered positive,” the source said. “Talks are ongoing on how to cooperate.” However, the source added that no conclusion has yet been reached.
According to close sources, there has been a proposal from Balen’s side to cooperate to make Balen the prime ministerial candidate in the next election.
They held discussions for both yesterday and today at the residence of Asim Shah in Kamalpokhari.
According to an RSP office-bearer, proposals for cooperation are coming in from various parties and groups.
“We are in talks with around ten different parties and groups,” the office-bearer said. “We have agreed to move forward aggressively. Something new will come out in a couple of days.”
The leader said that some preparations made earlier had been put on hold while Chairperson Lamichhane was in prison, and that he has now increased political meetings to give concrete shape to those plans.
“We will not unite with those who calculate whether they might get one or two seats in a conditional election,” the leader said. “There is no alternative to capable people with a genuine desire to do something coming together.”
