Lamichhane dismisses rift in party

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 11: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) president Rabi Lamichhane has instructed all lawmakers from his party not to create any faction within the party, dismissing rumours that some are Rabi’s people and some others Balen’s.

Addressing the closing ceremony of a two-day training and orientation programme organised for party lawmakers of House of Representatives (HoR) at Staff College, Lalitpur on Sunday, Lamichhane said that such activity must be shunned for the party's broader interest.

"Sometimes, friends in the media fraternity give many headlines out of a desire of the party split but we have become mature enough not be swayed by them," he stated.

In response to criticisms over the recommendation for the post of Chief Justice, Lamichhane said that a qualified person has been recommended for the post of Chief Justice within the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Council.

He added that it would be unfair to make the recommendation done in accordance with the constitutional process a subject of ‘street debate’.

During his speech, he stressed that a decision made based on the majority cannot be called unconstitutional.

“How can it be unconstitutional to recommend one person by a majority from among the names submitted to the Constitutional Council? The person has been selected from among the qualified judges. There is no violation of any procedure,” Lamichhane said.

Lamichhane emphasised that if the council had maintained the traditional practice, it would still be trapped in the cycle of division.

“We do not believe in division. If it had been entangled in the name of tradition, the discussion of division would have been going on even today," Lamichhane said.

He instructed the party’s MPs and leaders to rise above personal interest. He made it clear that it is not the time to ask for the return of contributions made to the party.

“This is not the time for me to ask for the price of contributions to the party, either. We will work for the next five years and show results. If we fail to turn the historical revolution into results, we will also be condemned to failure,” he said.

He also stated that the current political change was made possible by the struggle of the previous generation of leaders, and also urged MPs to be aware that their behaviour and expressions do not hurt citizens.

President Lamichhane, who is also a former deputy prime minister, instructed all MPs not to indulge in any activities that would give rise to factional groups within the party.

He clarified that the current power equation is not for personal gain, denying the speculations of division of RSP major leaders in the media.

He also criticised activities of the traditional political forces over the last 70 years, which causes the country to lag behind. 

Pandey appointed Education Department head

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has appointed Milan Pandey as the head of the Central Education Department.

The decision was made following a central secretariat meeting of the RSP held at the party office on Sunday.

Similarly, the party has appointed Dr. Prabhat Adhikari as the head of the Start-up Department.

Issuing a press release, party’s spokesperson Manish Jha informed that Baikuntha Thapa (Ashish) had been nominated as the head of the Central Department of RAT (Rapid Action Team) and former DIG (APF) Bidur Khadka as the deputy head.

The party secretariat meeting also decided to dissolve the Bara District Committee on the basis of the recommendation of the Provincial Committee, aiming to prepare for the District Convention.

Likewise, it was decided to cancel the membership of 15 members from various districts who had acted against the interests of the party.