Kathmandu: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has initiated a nationwide signature campaign demanding the release of its detained party president, Rabi Lamichhane, calling the legal actions against him a form of “political revenge.”
On Friday, the party set up solidarity booths at 13 key locations across the Kathmandu Valley, including New Bus Park, Balkhu, Koteshwor, Patan Durbar Square, Chabahil, Jawalakhel, Lagankhel, Basantapur Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The party plans to expand the campaign to all 77 district headquarters on Asar 14 and further to the ward level in the coming days.
Lamichhane, a former journalist and a prominent political figure, is currently in police custody at the Rupandehi District Police Office. He faces charges of fraud, organized crime, and money laundering. RSP leadership has rejected the accusations, claiming they are politically motivated.
“This is not a legal case but political persecution,” said an RSP spokesperson at one of the booths, echoing the party’s position that the allegations are an attempt to silence dissent and weaken their growing political influence.
The signature drive was first announced by Lamichhane himself on June 21, during the party’s third anniversary, through a 20-page statement issued from custody. In the document, Lamichhane maintained his innocence and vowed to continue his political work despite the legal challenges.
The campaign marks one of the party’s largest public mobilizations since its formation, as it seeks to rally grassroots support and pressure authorities for Lamichhane’s release.