Second phase of RSP protest: Party president Lamichhane to be consulted

Kathmandu, November 11 — Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal, the Vice President of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has stated that the final decision on the second phase of the street protest movement will be made by this evening.

Speaking from Pokhara, Aryal informed Ratopati on Monday that discussions are ongoing regarding the direction of the protest. As the coordinator of the movement's operational committee, he also mentioned that party President Rabi Lamichhane will be consulted on the matter.

Although Lamichhane remains in custody, Aryal assured that they would find time to meet and discuss. He added that he had also invited another party Vice President, Dr. Swarnim Wagle, who is currently in Kathmandu, to join the discussions in Pokhara.

"We are preparing to issue a press release today. I have invited Vice President Swarnim Wagle to Pokhara as well. Despite being in custody, we will have a brief discussion with the President and release a statement by this evening regarding the next steps," Aryal said.

At the party's central committee meeting on Saturday, RSP decided to launch a stronger second phase of the protest.

The movement will focus on key national issues, including widespread organized corruption and misgovernance, addressing the problems of cooperative victims, microfinance and interest rate issues, engaging overseas Nepali youth in national development, solving issues of expatriates, and constitutional amendments, claimed Aryal.

Aryal explained that discussions are underway to finalize the new protest program. Meanwhile, President Lamichhane remains in custody following the parliamentary investigation committee's report on alleged financial mismanagement at Gorkha Media, involving the funneling of money from Suryadarshan Cooperative. Lamichhane's detention has been extended by 13 more days as of yesterday.