RSP leaders meet Prime Minister amid ongoing protests

Kathmandu, October 29 — While Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane remains in custody facing allegations of embezzlement and misappropriation of cooperative funds, party leaders have held significant meetings with the Prime Minister and Home Minister.

Lamichhane was arrested by the police on October 18 in Kathmandu and taken to Pokhara for investigation related to the implementation of a parliamentary special investigation committee's report. He is currently providing a statement in Pokhara.

The RSP has been protesting since October 19, claiming that Lamichhane's arrest is politically motivated. During these protests, party members have vocally criticized the Prime Minister and the government.

In this context, RSP Vice President Dolprasad Aryal (DP) and Chief Whip Santosh Pariyar met with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak on Monday.

Aryal met with Home Minister Lekhak alone at Singhadurbar, while both Aryal and Pariyar went to Baluwatar to meet the Prime Minister.

“Aryal and Pariyar visited the Prime Minister in Baluwatar on Monday evening,” said a member of the Prime Minister's secretariat. “We are not aware of the details of what was discussed during the meeting.”

Vice President Aryal confirmed that he met with Home Minister Lekhak and stated that their discussion focused on Tuesday's protests and issues of law and order.

The RSP's strategy of intensifying street protests while simultaneously engaging in discussions with the Prime Minister and Home Minister has been viewed as politically significant.