Speculation surrounds Rabi Lamichhane’s arrest as opposition parties unite

KATHMANDU: The government is preparing to arrest Rabi Lamichhane, the President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), in connection with a cooperative case.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli convened a meeting of the top three political parties yesterday to discuss the matter.

During the meeting, the arrest of Lamichhane was a significant topic of discussion.

The meeting was attended by Congress Chairman Sher Bahadur Deuba, Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, and the Home Minister.

Both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister indicated that Lamichhane has been deemed guilty in the cooperative case, hence the decision to arrest him.

Following the Prime Minister’s meeting, the main opposition party also called for a meeting of the opposition today, Friday. In a meeting convened by Prachanda, discussions were held regarding the possibility of Lamichhane’s arrest.

During the meeting, Chairman Prachanda stated that Lamichhane could be arrested. While briefing about his meeting with the Prime Minister, Prachanda mentioned, “There is a discussion that Ravi ji is about to be arrested. The state may apprehend him.”

According to Shakti Basnet, Deputy General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), the opposition parties have decided to protest if Lamichhane is arrested. The opposition has expressed that they will not allow anyone to be arrested based on political bias.