Accountability Checks Corruption

Nepali media is abuzz with cooperative fraud case in which political leaders like Rabi Lamichhane have been mired. Lamichhane has had a historic rise and fall in the political scenario of Nepal. With a humble beginning as a journalist, he became a trailblazer in Nepali politics after founding Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). 

Lamichhane along with his party won the heart of Nepalis propelling RSP to the parliament in 2022. Lamichhane went on to become Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister but had to resign as the Supreme Court ruled his election as invalid on the grounds of controversial citizenship. He had previously renounced his Nepali citizenship in order to become an American citizen which turned into a contested issue even costing him his election win. However, Lamichhane was reelected and went on to become Home Minister in 2024. Yet, luck was not in his favour and soon enough he was mired in fraud charges and was subsequently arrested.  Along with cooperative fraud, he is also currently on trial for organised crime. 

From a promising young leader, Lamichhane has had a disgraceful fall in the eyes of his constituents. Once a progressive political star, he has been tainted due to such high-stake charges. If convicted, it could cost him his political career. His party has been condemning his trial and his followers who have been claiming that Lamicchane has been wrongly charged are left fuming. There are those who say that his arrest is a political ploy by other leaders to turn Lamichhane into a scapegoat. 

Nepali politics has been shaken following the arrest and trial of Lamichhane. A new government helmed by KP Sharma Oli hasn’t been free from controversy either. PM Oli and his party have been criticised for accepting donation from the business tycoon Min Bhadhur Gurung (founder of Bhat Bhateni Supermarket). It is quite deplorable that the donation came from Min Bhadhur Gurung who had previously been charged on Lalita Niwas land scam. 

It is understandable that political parties require financial support and most of such support comes from donations and funding. However, like many underdeveloped nations, Nepal too sees increasing cases of corruption in its political parties. It questions the ethics and values of such parties and leaders who accept bribes and turn corrupt in the blink of an eye leading to systemic corruption that gets entrenched into the institutions. Time and again, frustrated citizens pin their hopes on rising young leaders only to be disappointed once such leaders too turn corrupt.

Accountability has thus become necessary to put corrupt leaders in their rightful place which is behind the bars. But trials are often influenced by political agendas and pressure from the higher-ups. Despite the outcries of citizens, Nepal continues to see its corrupt politicians walk scot-free. Disgraced Nepali leaders keep exerting their influence in their parties and among their followers who blindly follow such leaders despite their dubious political history.

As per the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International, Nepal ranks on the 108th position among 180 countries to the chagrin of Nepalis. It scored 35 out of 100, indicating a very high level of perceived corruption in its public sector. If the nation is to progress, it has to hold its corrupt politicians accountable.