Kathmandu, October 4
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane on Sunday reflected on both the strengths and weaknesses of the Nepali Congress, saying he might have become a Congress member had the party placed greater value on political loyalty than material wealth.
Addressing the inaugural session of the Nepali Congress’ 15th General Convention at Kathmandu’s Khula Manch, Lamichhane said the Congress could have attracted him if it had given greater importance to people committed to the party rather than those with financial resources.
“I might have been a Congress member if the party had valued those who considered loyalty their capital, rather than giving importance to those with material capital,” Lamichhane said.
He also criticised the party’s approach to proportional representation and ticket distribution, saying opportunities should not be concentrated among people who are already privileged.
“I might have been a Congress member if, while talking about proportional representation for people from remote and disadvantaged areas, the Congress had not prioritised the most privileged and those who had already received the most opportunities when distributing election tickets,” he said.
Lamichhane also praised the election of a 50-year-old party president, referring to Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa, but suggested the party could have encouraged younger leadership much earlier.
“You feel proud to have a 50-year-old president today. If you had taken inspiration from the idea of having a president at 40, I might have been a Congress member,” he said.
He also referred to the Congress’ electoral decisions, saying he might have joined the party had it not instructed its supporters to vote for other parties instead of its own candidates.
“Nothing is lost. We have to move the country forward together,” Lamichhane said.
Parties should unite on national issues
Lamichhane said political parties should maintain unity on matters concerning the country, the constitution and national interests.
He stressed that questions of nationality and major national issues should rise above partisan differences.
“When it comes to the country, when it comes to the Constitution, when it comes to the federal democratic republic, and when it comes to people’s livelihoods, there are no different parties,” he said. “There are no different flags or slogans. There is only one thing — the country, the country and the country.”
Lamichhane said it was in this spirit that he had attended the Congress’ convention opening ceremony.
He also said the country had reached a point where a son of Madhes had become prime minister, highlighting the importance of inclusion and representation in national politics.
Lamichhane further stressed the need for political parties to ensure proportional and inclusive representation while working together on issues of national importance.
