RSP does not engage in politics of vengeance: President Lamichhane; RSP is our competitor, not an enemy, says NC Prez

Chitwan / June 21: President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, has made it clear that the RSP will not indulge in politics of vengeance.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of his party’s first national general convention here today, Lamichhane said that the party will imbibe the popular mandate that it has received and will not seek revenge on anyone. The animosity between political parties will be ended to work in favour of the country and the people.

Stating that the practice of factions and sub-faction within the party will not be allowed, President Lamichhane expressed his commitment to give a message of unity through the general convention. He said that if the RSP can move forward without factions by learning from the experiences of the old political parties no force can defeat the party.

“We are now at a stage of deciding what kind of seeds to plant,” he said while emphasized on the need to establish the RSP as a common political platform for the country. As a result, people from non-political sectors have also started entering politics.

Lamichhane suggested that the problems seen within the Nepali Congress and the CPN (UML) should be resolved. “For national politics to be good, it is not enough for our party to be good, other parties must also improve,” he said, “If the challenges seen within the Congress and the UML are not resolved, the country will face problems.”

The RSP President also said that the current government has moved forward as per the previous agreement and that the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah is working according to the goals of the agreement. “As per the previous agreement to run the government, the ball is now with the senior leader Balen Shah. He is responsible for scoring the goal. Even if the ball happens to fall at my feet due to a mistake, it is my responsibility to pass it to him,” Lamichhane said.

NC Prez Thapa: RSP is our competitor, not an enemy

Nepali Congress (NC) President Gagan Thapa has said that the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has earned impressive public support within a short span of four years.

Addressing the first national convention of the RSP in Bharatpur, Chitwan, on Sunday, Thapa praised the party’s organisational progress.

He extended best wishes to RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Balen Shah.

Thapa also warned the RSP to remain cautious, recalling how past public mandates were lost due to arrogance.

“History shows that when arrogance grows on the back of public mandate, it leads to major setbacks that waste the country’s time,” he said. “I hope RSP respects the mandate it has received and does not fall into that trap.”

Emphasising political civility, Thapa said parties should not treat each other as enemies.

“We are competitors, not enemies,” he said. “NC wants to remain clean, but we will not take the route of appearing clean by portraying others as dirty.”

He added that the NC would play a constructive role in parliament, supporting good policies and opposing wrong ones on their merits.

“In Parliament, we will point out mistakes in government decisions and also applaud good work,” he said. “Nepali Congress will fulfil its responsibility within the legislature.”