RSP members and supporters should remain composed and advocate for a fair and impartial trial for Lamichhane while also calling for accountability for wrongdoers from other parties
The rapid rise of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) as a significant political force within months of its establishment seemed to have raised alarms among mainstream political parties. The involvement of prominent figures from diverse fields, including emerging entrepreneurs, social activists, healthcare experts, economists, journalists, and a lot more, initially propelled the RSP into a unique position within Nepali politics. With 21 parliamentary seats out of 275, the RSP was given a mandate to strengthen the opposition bench and scrutinise the activities of the government. However, the leadership of the RSP chose to go against this mandate and joined the government a couple of times over a period of 18 months. This seems to have triggered RSP's rapid downfall. This was further compounded by a series of controversies surrounding its core leadership that includes the controversial past of its Chairman Rabi Lamichhane.
As responsibility often reveals one's true character, the meteoric rise of the RSP to political power has exposed the vulnerabilities of its leaders, most notably Lamichhane's involvement in the embezzlement of cooperative funds. Furthermore, Lamichhane has faced allegations of misusing citizenship and passport documents-issues that trace back to his pre-RSP era. Despite these personal controversies, RSP supporters and members have taken to the streets in an unrestrained show of defense for Lamichhane. Alarmingly, even some members of parliament have resorted to promoting hate speech against the state, exacerbating tensions. Adding to the unrest, the RSP central committee has decided to escalate the protests, continuing their street demonstrations to demand Lamichhane's immediate release.
It is disheartening to acknowledge that Nepal has never advanced into the ranks of development and progress. The blame for this decline rests primarily with the ruling leaders. However, the citizens who repeatedly elect these incompetent rulers during periodic elections must also share part of the responsibility. In a country where the majority are either illiterate or only superficially educated, such an outcome was, unfortunately, inevitable.
The petty self-interests of the people are emboldening political leaders to act recklessly. According to the World Population Review, an independent organisation that provides global data, Nepal ranks lowest in IQ among 197 countries. This outcome reflects our tendency to support political parties and their leaders based on personal gains rather than evaluating their merit.
Over time, new political parties have emerged, positioning themselves as alternatives to the established, conventional ones. Some of these parties made a significant splash in their early days. One notable example is the grand spectacle at the launch of Baburam Bhattarai's Naya Shakti Party at the Dashrath Stadium, an event that remains vivid in public memory. Many individuals, particularly those seeking a swift rise through a vertical entry within a new political platform for personal advancement, flocked to the party. For the first few years, the hullabaloo of its members was sky-high. However, as the true nature of Naya Shakti's leadership became evident, its supporters began abandoning it. A similar pattern was observed later with the Bibeksheel and Sajha parties.
The rise of the RSP has been the latest example of the initial ballooning of alternative political forces in Nepal. Its success was largely driven by the public image of its chairman, who had gained widespread popularity through his people-centric television shows. This connection with the public fueled the rapid growth of the party, and RSP's impressive performance in parliament attracted significant support, including from members of Nepal's intellectual community. However, Lamichhane's controversial past has begun to catch up with him, casting a shadow over the party's momentum.
Had he remained a television personality, many of these issues might have stayed under the carpet forever. But his dramatic entry into politics drew attention from both the public and rival political leaders, forcing scrutiny on his previous actions. As a political novice, Lamichhane now finds himself entangled in these past controversies. The path forward for him is clear: he must remain resolute, place his trust in the judiciary, and defend his position through legal channels if he hopes to maintain his influence and preserve the credibility of his party.
Lamichhane should not be treated exceptionally or given any special privileges as demanded by RSP's supporters. If found guilty, he must face justice; if innocent, the legal process will vindicate him. The RSP's rank and file must understand that it is not their role to declare anyone's innocence.
Winning an election in a country like ours does not equate to being beyond reproach. Election results are not the authority to prove anyone's innocence, especially in south Asia. This is evident from the fact that in India, 40 per cent of sitting members of parliament have criminal cases against them, with 25 per cent facing serious charges, a data revealed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). Nepal's mainstream politics also features many individuals with blood-stained pasts.
This is definitely a testing time for both Lamichhane and the RSP. Instead of creating unnecessary uproar, RSP members and supporters should remain composed and place their trust in the judiciary. They should not chose to dictate the term through mob tactics. Instead, they should advocate for a fair and impartial trial for Lamichhane while also calling for accountability for wrongdoers from other parties. The ball is in RSP's court, unfortunately, that is slowly slipping away from its grasp.
Dr Joshi is a senior scientist and independent opinion maker based in Germany; pushpa.joshi@gmail.com