Gyanendra Shahi Takes Aim at Rabi Lamichhane, Questioning the Weight of Words

Kathmandu — Gyanendra Shahi, the parliamentary party leader of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, said his party entered the race for deputy speaker only after receiving assurances from Rabi Lamichhane, chairman of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party.

Speaking in the House of Representatives on Friday while presenting a proposal to elect Saraswati Lama as deputy speaker, Mr. Shahi said the candidacy had exposed the true character of both so-called old and new political parties. He added that he had come to realize that words in politics cannot always be trusted, hinting at Mr. Lamichhane: “It seems one must read the signals, not the words.”

Mr. Shahi accused the Rastriya Swatantra Party of betrayal, arguing that the episode had revealed little substantive difference between established and emerging parties beyond their labels. He said his party’s candidacy was not merely about securing the post but about resisting what he described as an “imported system” and a political culture driven by external influence.

“We filed our candidacy for deputy speaker only after receiving a direct assurance from the RSP chairman,” he said, adding that the decision had been made unanimously within the party. “Today’s contest has clarified political lines. While party signboards may differ, the ideological core of both old and new forces appears to be the same.”

He added that the candidacy represented a broader struggle — not just for a parliamentary position, but against what he called a tendency to uphold an imported system and act as instruments of foreign interests.