Rabi Lamichhane Shifts Tone, Directs New MPs on Responsibility and Discipline After Election Success
Kathmandu. The style of Rabi Lamichhane, Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), was previously aggressive. He used to speak by attacking others with sarcasm. His statements often contained little truth and a lot of satire.
After the party secured a comfortable majority (two-thirds minus 2 seats) in the House of Representatives elections held on February 21, Lamichhane changed that style. At the conclusion of the two-day orientation program organized by the RSP for the elected members of the House of Representatives from the party in Gwarko, Lalitpur, Lamichhane spoke for over half an hour. During this time, he not only completely changed his style but also presented himself as being deeply aware of the mandate given by the people and focused on how to land it smoothly.
Most of his address consisted of instructions for the parliamentarians, with some parts covering how to operate the government, how to manage relationships with the old parties, what kind of conduct the parliamentarians should maintain, and what their responsibilities are now.
Lamichhane stated that the people voted for them out of disappointment with the leadership of the old parties, and they must maintain that public trust. He cautioned the parliamentarians that if they fail to maintain public trust, the people, who waited 35 years for the old leadership, would not wait even 35 days for them.
_uxwik3vVAM.jpg)
‘The citizens were disappointed with the leadership. Yet, they waited 35 years for them,’ Lamichhane said, ‘It seems they won't wait even 35 days for us. Be careful at every step and do the right thing.’
Lamichhane also instructed the parliamentarians to abandon the habit of indulging in the freedom of their private lives. ‘There is freedom within the party, but that also means discipline resides there,’ Lamichhane directed, ‘Think carefully about many things. This time, we will strictly implement the Right to Recall provision.’
Stating that ‘Right to Recall’ means the right of the people to recall their elected representatives, Lamichhane made it clear that this provision would be strictly enforced, regardless of whether the party has a two-thirds majority or not.
Lamichhane also stated that parliamentarians and party leaders must be responsible in public service. His view was that an environment must be created where he himself consumes public services and others can do the same. He emphasized the need to create an environment for treatment in government hospitals.
He mentioned that since the RSP reached the public through social media promotion, the party's parliamentarians, leaders, and cadres must stop the excitement and aggression on social media. He said, ‘Stop the excitement and aggression seen on social media. Stop attacking the opposition in a contemptuous manner.’
Lamichhane also urged them to present themselves responsibly on social media and public platforms, and to avoid verbal abuse and personal attacks.
Instructing them not to focus on gaining power or self-serving work, Lamichhane directed the parliamentarians to work remembering the sacrifice of the martyrs. He stated that they must abandon ‘I’-centric politics and engage in nation-centric politics.
‘Personal interests must be abandoned. Move out of the I-centric politics of becoming a minister, getting a position, seeking personal status, and engage in nation-centric politics,’ Lamichhane said.
Lamichhane warned against factionalism within the party, urging them not to engage in it. He sarcastically remarked that the old parties, Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, cannot be defeated by forming factions within the party. ‘Congress-UML cannot be defeated by forming factions. The Bell (RSP symbol) has the strength to defeat everyone. There is no need for factions within the party,’ Lamichhane stated.
He also warned the parliamentarians against colluding with middlemen and vested interest groups. He signaled that disciplinary action would be taken if they went beyond party discipline. ‘RSP is a large family, so discipline is mandatory to stop anarchy; there is no compromise on discipline,’ he said, ‘Be responsible. Discipline applies to everyone.’
Lamichhane stated that parliamentarians and leaders should think about fulfilling the dreams seen by society and the nation, not their personal dreams. Saying that politics of the past will no longer work, he emphasized the need to amend laws in a timely manner to work in a new way according to a new methodology. ‘Practical problems like building roads to people's homes, bringing water, electricity, and internet to taps must be solved. For that, laws must be amended in a time-appropriate manner,’ he said, ‘Therefore, the responsibility of parliamentarians as lawmakers is extremely profound. Laws required for the implementation of the constitution have not been made. Attention must be paid to solving practical problems by making those laws.’
He stated that citizens are watching every activity of parliamentarians and leaders, so the awareness of the people should not be challenged. ‘The reason for not giving a two-thirds majority in the last election was to see the new and give the old an opportunity to correct themselves. The government that received a two-thirds majority cannot challenge that wisdom. We must show results through work. For that, we must work not to win the next election, but so that the next generation does not lose,’ he said.
Lamichhane implied that the RSP's bell must be rung for the Nepali people. He directed the party to abandon the tendencies of the old parties and move forward with a new mindset, as the party has reached this point by facing various attacks and cases since its inception. Welcoming those who joined RSP from old parties, he urged them to work free from old tendencies, saying, ‘Those who came from old parties are welcome, but they must work free from old tendencies. This is a condition.’
RSP is also preparing to restrict the statements of leaders and parliamentarians. Chairman Lamichhane also signaled this preparation. ‘This is not an ordinary election but an opportunity born from the sacrifice of martyrs. Do not make frivolous statements. Every activity of a parliamentarian should not lead to the voter hanging their head in shame. That is the party's principle and stance,’ Lamichhane said.
He also managed to reassure the private sector. He called for investment, stating that an environment would be created for the private sector to work confidently. He clarified that RSP's policy is to secure foreign investment policy-wise, and create employment by running universities, industries, and factories.
He stated his commitment to the democratic system, the constitution, and the arrangement. Lamichhane, who has often been negative about federalism and provinces, appeared contrary on Wednesday. He stated that the provisions in the constitution would be fully adhered to. ‘The constitution, regulations, and party bylaws will be prioritized over personal desires,’ Lamichhane said.
Lamichhane, who always used to taunt the opposition, did not show that tendency this time. On the contrary, he indicated that he would now move forward in a balanced manner through consensus and cooperation by not taunting the opposition in the euphoria of victory.
Lamichhane stated that the country would be moved towards economic prosperity by establishing new standards in good governance.
This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
