Rabi Lamichhane suggests Gagan Thapa to stay in opposition for 5 years

KATHMANDU: Rabi Lamichhane, President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has urged Nepali Congress chief Gagan Thapa to spend the next five years in opposition.

Speaking at a party event in Itahari on Tuesday, Lamichhane sarcastically suggested that Thapa should “reform or improve” by serving as the street-level opposition for five years before returning as an alternative. “If any party wants to reform, let them serve as opposition for five years and come back as an alternative if we fail. This time, it’s the Bell,” he said, referring to the party’s electoral symbol.

Lamichhane also claimed that the RSP would lead the government for the next five years and accused political forces of trying to confuse voters by asking them to vote for different symbols in proportional and direct elections.

He urged voters to support the RSP in both systems to secure a majority, asserting that March 5 would be recorded in history in golden letters.

He further pledged that within 100 days of forming the government, the RSP would ensure the return of savings lost by cooperative and microfinance victims and those affected by usurious interest rates.

Lamichhane also promised to end the issue of squatters, calling this election the final chance for solving the long-standing problem.