KATHMANDU, July 13: Rastriya Swatantrata Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane has expressed dissatisfaction with the work of Prime Minister and Senior Leader Balendra Shah. The two leaders held discussions on Sunday as the party's internal disagreements began to surface following its first general convention. During the meeting, Lamichhane suggested that Prime Minister Shah change the government's working style, according to a source.
Prime Minister Shah visited Lamichhane's residence to discuss the appointment of party office bearers and possible changes to the ministers representing the party in the government. A source close to the party said Lamichhane expressed concern over the eviction of squatters from Kathmandu and other areas, the arrest procedures involving members of various opposition political parties, and the death of Ganesh Nepali, who died while undergoing treatment after attempting self-immolation.
No factionalism in RSP: Rabi Lamichhane
Lamichhane warned that if the government continued with its current approach, the party could lose public trust and the country could be pushed into another period of crisis. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the working style of members of the Prime Minister's Secretariat as well as several ministers.
Prime Minister Shah said that the old political parties had also politicized the issue of squatters and assured Lamichhane that the government would work to address and resolve the problem as quickly as possible. According to the source, the two leaders also discussed reshuffling some ministers representing the party in the government and expanding the party's central committee, and came close to reaching an agreement on both issues. The source added that the discussion, which lasted more than four hours, helped clear misunderstandings and focused on the effective functioning of the government.
The RSP, which completed its first general convention in Chitwan during the last week of June, has yet to elect 11 office bearers and 51 central committee members. The convention also decided that Shah would remain the party's Senior Leader.
