Rabi Lamichhane Urges Newly Elected MPs to Shed Self-Interest and Focus on Legislative Duties

Thinking of this five years as just another election where people are chosen will create a difficult situation. I see people running around thinking politics will continue as it always has. Politics is not going to continue that way. Nothing will continue as it did yesterday. We must shed our old skin.

The Nepali people have given us the mandate to shed that old skin. We have come to make laws. The primary responsibility of lawmaking has been placed on your shoulders by the Nepali people. By changing those laws, roads will be built for their homes, water will flow in their taps, electricity will come, and the internet will work. They might not know, but you must know. You must know what bottleneck is preventing water from reaching people's homes. You need to study this.

Therefore, this time, stop this scramble for power, whether it's for this person or that person, or by meeting someone and taking a photo. I am speaking some bitter truths to you today. Your responsibility as lawmakers, our responsibility, is extremely profound. Many laws needed for the implementation of the recent constitutional changes have not even been made, despite the constitution being drafted so long ago.

There were various obstacles, but the Nepali people have given us a clear, almost two-thirds majority, leaving no room for excuses. What obstacles now? What will stop us now? The only thing that can stop us now is our own intentions.

And another thing, I don't have a very long experience in politics. In the time I have been in politics, I have always faced various kinds of attacks. This party has been attacked since its inception. Cases were filed in the party's name. Attempts were made to crush this party since it was born. We managed to protect it. Cases were filed against this party's election symbol. Attacks were made as if to destroy this party's election symbol itself, by established political parties, various interest groups, and various power groups. We managed to save it.

We rang the bell. Because we had to ring the bell for the Nepali people, we had to make the sound. It was not easy. Even when all the powers in this country stood together, we did not falter. We were not afraid. We did not waver. Because we had faith in the consciousness of the citizens.

We waited for eighty-four days, thinking, 'Let the election come once, and we will show them.' Citizens watch everything. The public watches every activity. Some people challenge the consciousness of the people. They challenge whether the people themselves are flawed. No. If that were the case, the people could have given us a two-thirds majority in the last election, not just 20-21 seats. But what the people said in the last election was, 'Let's see these newcomers once, so they don't become arrogant. Let's give them just enough seats so they don't become overwhelming, and give the old parties a chance to correct themselves.' Citizens voted wisely. But the government that received a two-thirds majority challenged that wisdom of the citizens.

Once power is gained, a blindfold comes over the eyes; we must be able to remove that blindfold now. Otherwise, the Nepali people waited for the old political parties for 35-36 years, but they will not wait for you and me for 36 months, let alone 36 days. Be certain of this. Because the public has reached a superior level of consciousness.

Now, as lawmakers, your race should not be to the homes of interest groups. You cannot win against the Congress-UML by forming factions, friends. There is no need to form any faction. The bell can remove everyone beneath it. The bell has that much power. There is no need to form factions anywhere.

And what will be my position? Where will I be? What will happen to me? What will be my status in the party? What will be my status in parliament? What will be my status in the government? If we cannot rise above this 'me'-centric politics and engage in country-centric politics, our fate will be worse than that of the leaders of the old political parties. I am telling you this on Day One.

Therefore, one should not place oneself at the center. Politics has been like that until today. They would agree, claiming national consensus, and leaders would secure their own positions through various agreements. Parties secured their own positions. But will the country be secured or not? Was the country kept at the center? That is the important thing.

The country is at the center right now. We must fulfill the dreams the country has seen. This country, this society, will not carry the burden of your and my dreams of becoming ministers or prime ministers. This society is not obliged to carry the burden of my dreams. But we must carry the burden of this society's dreams. That is why they sent us here with votes.

This is not a simple matter. A martyr's mother is here; pay attention. Before making any collusion with any middleman, before having a cup of tea, before taking a sip of their water, remember the martyr's mother. The martyr's mother entered parliament after sacrificing her son. This is not a small thing.

Middlemen activities are rampant in this country. I am sharing the experience I gained in my short time in politics. People will run around to distract you, to influence you. The situation in this country is such that a group remains active to topple the government from the evening it is formed.

Since the day we were formed, we have received unprecedented public mandate. Upon receiving that mandate, you must have seen attempts from various quarters to create a rift among them. Sometimes, the intentions behind the news can also be understood. We must be wary of such places. There is a proliferation of those who want to divide us, bring us down, and make us do wrong things.

Many votes have also come against us—lakhs of votes that did not go to us. There is no shortage of opposition and adversaries. The difference is only how strong we are. We must be strong ourselves. We must stop blaming others, saying, 'Others divided us, it's a foreign plot.' Problems only arise when we ourselves cannot unite and become prisoners of self-interest.

Welcome to friends who have come from various political backgrounds. There is no need to have any hesitation or inferiority complex. There is no need to feel awkward for being associated with an old party. We have welcomed you with open hearts. But you must come free from old tendencies.

The youth shed blood so that this country would not reach this state. We have a historic responsibility. This is not a simple election; it is an opportunity that came from the sacrifice of martyrs. Therefore, no one here has the luxury of making light statements—not even me.

Every action we take is being watched by citizens. The votes given by the people must be respected. No expression or activity should cause the voters to hang their heads in shame.

Appearing in the media might seem enjoyable, and receiving praise feels good. Journalists are also friends from this same society. But one must think about the impact of the expression. A casual statement can have a long-term effect on the country.

Now you are not the person you were yesterday—you are a responsible Member of Parliament, a responsible politician, a responsible representative. The role has changed. If anyone still wishes to speak or behave in the old style, they can leave that role. But if you accept the responsibility, you must change your conduct accordingly.

Now we must legislate, amend laws, and bring change to the lives of the people. We must bring happiness to the homes of the people who voted for us. The situation where they need 'source and force' to receive services must end.

As much as possible, get treated in government hospitals. That will help improve public services. We must experience the problems the public faces ourselves.

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has not been established for very long, but people from various backgrounds have joined. The diversity of the country is visible within the party. Someone's image might be good, someone's ordinary—but the same standard applies to everyone. Regardless of whether there is a two-thirds majority or not, the party will strictly implement the 'Right to Recall' provision. A balance must be maintained between freedom and discipline. Freedom can be exercised, but within discipline.

The party will not compromise on discipline. The family has grown large; without discipline, anarchy will increase. Society is already affected by anarchy, so we must be even more disciplined. Today I have said something different, and that is because of responsibility. I spoke a little about strictness, a little about scolding. I spoke about the 'Right to Recall,' it might seem like a warning—it should seem like one. Because you must feel the responsibility every day for the hope and expectation with which the Nepali people voted.

If this country is not built now, when will it be? When asking for votes, parents cried and said, 'Save the country'—this is not ordinary; it is a deep responsibility. Children to the elderly have entrusted the country to our shoulders, carrying the blue flag and the bell. With great power comes great responsibility.

RSP embodies the diverse face of the country—businesspeople, students, youth, women, marginalized communities, social activists, artists, former administrators, all. Discipline is essential to keep such a large family on the same track.

There is no objection to being present in the media, but consult the party before speaking. Do not let small expressions hurt the voters' feelings; casual comments on sensitive national issues like the economy and diplomacy can have long-term effects.

Now, spend time among the people outside of parliament. If a problem arises in your constituency, you will be responsible for it. The people sent you for their well-being—not to give you comfort.

MPs should be seen in villages and tea stalls, not just at large seminars. Knowledge does not automatically come upon becoming an MP. Study, research, and hard work must be done even more. Avoid the tendency for behavior to deteriorate with power; stay close to the citizens.

We have made a contract of change with the citizens—we have promised to shed our old skin. That contract must be fulfilled verbatim. Stop the race for ministerial positions and media trials. The party will make decisions according to capability. All capable friends, visible and invisible, are being watched by the party.

I also request the media: show not just the famous faces but also the expert and capable faces within the party. The citizens must see the complete picture.

MPs need more effort in study and thought now than the effort they put into the election. We have received a rare opportunity—the opportunity to write the history of the country with our own hands. The people have already said, 'Go, write our future.'

This should be taken as a responsibility, not a celebration. We must work not to win the next election, but so that the next generation does not lose.

For me, the main indicator of development is not just physical infrastructure—it is social justice. Where there is discrimination, development is incomplete. Therefore, we must fight for social justice.

Inclusivity is still lacking—it is sad that some communities are not represented. This will be prioritized in the coming days.

Development is not just about bringing budgets to one's own constituency. If Karnali, Madhes, and Sudurpaschim lag behind, that is not development. The entire country must develop.

We fought not for one election, but for generations. More important than winning or losing the next election is ensuring the next generation does not lose.

I am committed to the democratic system, the current constitution, and the system. I respect the contributions of past leaders in history. Do not make sarcastic remarks against the opposition in the euphoria of victory. Such behavior is never acceptable.

Being a winner means being responsible, not being reckless. Being a winner does not mean having the right to mock the opposition; that is not the character of democracy. Therefore, many accusations have been leveled against us. Today, with all of you as witnesses, I want to share the responsibility of refuting these accusations with you: that RSP is often anarchic, RSP supporters are extremely intolerant, they resort to verbal abuse on social media, personal insults, they cannot be touched or spoken to without being abused—an image of that kind has been created. I want to tell all supporter friends that we must move beyond that now. RSP has not had the opportunity to train properly, having faced attacks for 3 years. But since you are members of this same society, your personal conduct reflects the training you have received at various levels of society. Therefore, I request all RSP supporters to express themselves responsibly, and to present themselves very responsibly on social media, social platforms, and public platforms.

This victory is not for RSP; this country has won, and we have to prove it. The general public voted for us so that the country could win through RSP. Therefore, this victory is not just for RSP supporters or RSP voters; this victory should belong to the entire country, and we must work towards that.

The next 5 years will not be easy. If anyone thinks that the activities will be like those of past MPs, or the activities of past ministers, and a continuation of the same things, please know that it is not so. We are standing at a time of extreme sensitivity, a time that requires immense hard work. Therefore, I sincerely request you all to move forward with hard work once again.

Finally, I want to thank all the friends who worked at various levels of the party to achieve this election victory, from the forefront to the last rank. Some people look at proportional representation friends differently, saying, 'You are proportional, not direct.' I call that discrimination, and I wish that such discrimination does not exist within the party. Whether they are in the direct or proportional category, everyone has played their role and fulfilled their responsibilities. Some played a role in winning the election, and now those friends will prove themselves even more capable in parliament.

To all friends who have come to the large RSP family, representing every profession, business, sector, and gender, I say one final thing: we are connected by time and circumstance. If this political party did not exist, if we were not to gather here in a circle, we would be different kinds of people; our friends would be different, our company different, our work different, our professions different. But circumstances have brought us here, they have connected us. Having connected, you and I must work as a team player, as a collective player. Whether we like or dislike someone's personal conduct, habits, behavior, or temperament is a separate matter. But what we must look at now are the country's constitution, the parliament's rules, and the party's bylaws.

Read whatever books you like in your personal life, but these are the books we must read. Within these books, we must unite, abide by the country's constitution, the party's bylaws, and various rules and regulations, and work together as one team. Therefore, personal desires, aspirations, personal likes and dislikes, liking or disliking a person become secondary. As I said earlier, this country will not carry the burden of your desires and dreams; we must together carry the burden of the dreams this country has seen for years. Some friends whom we might not have liked personally might have wandered around and ended up here. At this time, we must use our discretion to the maximum and work faithfully, honestly, and responsibly towards the nation and the people.

I wish you all a happy political future. Once again, I thank all the friends who worked at all levels of the party, from the front line to the last rank, to bring this election to such a great result, and I thank the voters very much.

I want to assure the private sector of this country that you should not be disturbed anywhere; we will create an environment where you can work without fear. I want to call upon the Nepali diaspora living abroad from this very stage to come and work together to bring investment to this country; we need your support in this great campaign of nation-building. Together we can resolve to establish order. I want to tell the international community that Nepal is a safe country for investment. You and your investment will be safe in this country; be assured, there will be no obstacles of any kind. No particular leader or party will protect you; the country's policies, our policies, will protect you; we will be protected policy-wise.

The country's universities must shed their old skin; industries and factories must run; work and business must continue in the country; employment must be created. We will be capable of fulfilling all these responsibilities. There are doubts, illusions, or suspicions that the country has gone into the hands of new people, that it might face difficulties, that democracy might be in danger, or that authoritarianism might creep in somewhere. I want to tell all those who are concerned and interested that the country is in good hands; we will handle it with care.

We will work with extreme care, with great affection, great cordiality, compassion, and extreme vigilance towards this mandate given by the people. New standards of good governance will be established, and we will work day and night to continuously lead the country on the path to economic prosperity.

Edited summary of the address given by RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane at the orientation program for party MPs