Kathmandu, August 23
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has urged party leaders and lawmakers to ensure that their actions do not undermine democracy or bring the party into disrepute.
Addressing a policy, organisation and leadership workshop for central members on Sunday, Lamichhane said the RSP was under public scrutiny and that its leaders must respond through their conduct and political activities.
“I will not let your heads bow because of me. If I make mistakes or shortcomings unknowingly, I will correct them. You too must say that the party’s head will not bow because of you,” he said.
Lamichhane said the RSP’s growing presence had attracted public attention because people from different professional and social backgrounds had entered politics through the party.
He said his intention was not to teach or lecture party leaders but to remind them that the party must not deviate from its objectives and political path.
Lamichhane also warned party leaders against engaging in activities that could weaken democratic institutions.
“Different institutions need to remain strong for democracy to remain strong,” he said, urging party members to be conscious of any action that could lead to accusations that democracy had been weakened under their watch.
‘Plan for the next 35 years’
Lamichhane also asked party leaders to stop dwelling on the past 35 years and instead focus on developing a plan for the next 35 years.
“Do not keep talking about the account of the past 35 years. Bring a plan for the next 35 years. We are no longer in a position to keep complaining about the past 35 years. Whatever they could do, they did. Thank them. Now, what should the next 35 years look like? That is in our hands,” he said.
He urged party members to remember why they entered politics and to view the present as an important opportunity provided by history.
“Whatever our individual reasons for choosing politics, we must move forward remembering this important opportunity given by history. Our activities should not weaken democracy,” Lamichhane said.
He said he was not dissatisfied with party leaders and expressed pride in the capable people within the RSP. However, he said the party’s growing size also brought greater responsibility.
“I am not dissatisfied with you. There are many highly capable people among you, and I am proud of that. But because we are a large party, I do feel a little concerned,” he said.
RSP must strengthen its presence at local level
Lamichhane directed party leaders to expand the RSP’s presence beyond the party’s central structure and reach villages, neighbourhoods and communities, particularly with local elections approaching.
He warned that failure to establish a strong presence at the local level could make it difficult for the party to meet public expectations and could lead to further disappointment among voters.
“The government is not the only strong force right now. The opposition is even stronger,” he said. “If we fail to play our political role as a strong opposition, it could take us somewhere else.”
Lamichhane said RSP leaders should travel to communities and explain the government’s actions to the public.
He said the party would assign responsibilities to central members and send them to different parts of the country, adding that he himself would also travel to Madhesh.
‘Do not do wrong even if you cannot do good’
Lamichhane said the RSP’s focus on good governance should not be limited to raising questions about irregularities.
He said the party must be able to answer questions raised by the public about the government’s actions and continue speaking up on issues of good governance, even when government decisions are controversial.
“The public will ask us questions about the government’s actions, and we must have answers,” he said.
He also urged party leaders to avoid unnecessary blame games, saying the RSP should focus on what it can do rather than repeatedly criticising previous governments and political leaders.
“If you cannot do something good, at least do not do something wrong,” Lamichhane said.
He said the party was now at a crucial stage of building the foundation for its future and should focus on organisational expansion, strengthening its political presence at the local level and maintaining direct communication with the public.
Lamichhane called on party members from different backgrounds to work toward a common political objective while maintaining responsibility, discipline and democratic conduct.
