Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chairman Ravi Lamichhane and Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah engaged in a “positive dialogue” covering three main topics, RSP vice-chair D.P. Aryal confirmed.
The discussion, held at former RSP MP Asim Shah’s residence on Monday night, lasted about six hours and continued past 1:30 AM. After the meeting, Lamichhane and Shah were seen leaving together in the same vehicle, signaling a constructive engagement.
According to Aryal, the discussions focused on:
- Personal interactions between Lamichhane, recently released from jail on bail, and Shah, who recently experienced a personal loss.
- Analysis of the events of Bhadra 23-24, their impact on political parties, and lessons learned.
- Collaboration for the upcoming Falgun 21 elections, including the possibility of running together.
Asim Shah described the meeting as a “happy beginning,” calling it a union not just for individuals but for the hopes of the nation.
Sources close to Balen Shah revealed that Lamichhane proposed a collaboration in which Shah could be considered for the position of Prime Minister in the upcoming general elections. The discussion also included a potential merger of the “Desh Bikas Party” and RSP, with the unified party retaining the RSP name.
RSP leader and former MP Shishir Khanal confirmed in a Kantipur Television interview that the party recognizes Shah as a viable candidate for the prime ministerial post, alongside Lamichhane and Kulman Ghising.
Participants in the meeting from the RSP side included Ravi Lamichhane, D.P. Aryal, and Asim Shah, while Balen Shah was accompanied by Kumar Ben and Nischal Basnet among others.
Lamichhane had been released on bail of NPR 3.74 crore from the Rupandehi District Court on Poush 4, following the High Court’s conditional release order the previous day. His release cleared the path for him to contest the Falgun 21 House of Representatives election, as the election law does not bar candidates with ongoing court cases.
However, even if Lamichhane wins, he will not be able to serve as a minister due to legal restrictions on individuals under suspension from public office under Section 27 of the Asset Recovery Act, 2064.
Following his release, Lamichhane met with families of injured and martyred participants of the Gen Z movement and had previously met Prime Minister Sushila Karki with his RSP team to discuss ongoing political developments.
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