KATHMANDU: Following the filing of a charge sheet against their chairman, Rabi Lamichhane,senior leaders of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have convened in Pokhara to discuss the party's future. Lamichhane is accused of money laundering and cooperative fraud.
The charges against Lamichhane and others were detailed in a 427-page charge sheet that was given to the court by the District Attorney's Office. The charges are related to cooperative financial violations.
At Lamichhane's invitation, Vice Chair DP Aryal visited Pokhara with notable figures Shishir Khanal and Biraj Bhakta Shrestha. On Saturday, Swarnim Wagle met Lamichhane, and on Sunday, more party members joined the conversation.
Lamichhane has called important officials to discuss the party's future plans, according to an RSP insider. The insider, who asked to remain anonymous, said, "The Chair plans to hold discussions with select leaders regarding the future."
To cover Lamichhane's duties during his legal procedures, the party has not yet appointed an acting chair. One party leader stated, "A resolution on this issue will probably come after the formal filing of the case."
Lamichhane had previously opposed certain members' ambitions to assume the acting chair position, adding complexity to the party's internal decision-making process.
The legal case also implicates Lamichhane’s wife, Nikita Poudel, alongside 44 individuals and eight companies accused of cooperative fraud. The allegations have broadened the scope of the controversy.
Lamichhane was arrested in Kathmandu on October 18, following the government attorney’s filing of cases against those linked to the cooperative scandal. These developments have prompted urgent strategy discussions within the RSP leadership.
