South Asian News Network

Kathmandu, April 2: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane has said that they will pay back for the ‘debt of the electoral mandate’ given them by the people through fulfillment of responsibility. Speaking on a party basis at the first meeting of the first session of the House of Representatives today, the RSP President made it clear that the people have given them votes not to ‘run’ Singha Durbar but to ‘change’ Singha Durbar, and work has already begun to that end accordingly. “We have come to this place (Parliament) by raising questions. We must prove ourselves through work and not through rhetoric. We will learn lessons from past weaknesses. This parliament will be a place for debate, not for revenge, he said, adding that the opposition will not face unjust retaliation or oppression, and the momentum of good governance will not be hindered either. Every member of RSP must prove themselves through work, not just by speaking, he reiterated. RSP President Lamichhane said that the process of amending the law to protect people politically close to oneself and trap the opponents will no longer occur. Referring to the arrest of former PM and UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister and Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak in connection with investigation, he said since the martyr’s mother has the first right to justice, it (the arrest of Oli and Lekhak) should not be called a revenge. The RSP President expressed the commitment that the government will provide equal opportunities and a professional environment, stating that the private sector, which has been burdened by middlemen and mafias, will no longer face such pressure. He expressed a commitment to ensuring no discrimination based on ethnicity or gender, and also stated that special attention would be given to the respect for senior citizens and the education and health of children. Expecting those holding public posts based on political appointment before this to voluntarily step aside, he clarified that legal and merit-based criteria would be followed in the new appointments. Lamichhane also stated that the appointment of ambassadors would not be influenced by intermediaries but would be focused on the interests of workers. He asserted that Nepal would utilise the capital, skills and discipline of non-resident Nepalis for the country’s economic development, stating the country would forge a friendly and transparent foreign policy by involving the opposition. —