Rabi Lamichhane(Nepali:रवि लामिछाने;Nepali pronunciation:[ɾʌbilamit͡sʰane];born 11 June 1985[citation needed]) age 34 is aNepalesepolitician (formerly an American national) who served asDeputy Prime MinisterandHome Ministerof Nepal. An ex-journalist, Lamichhane became a member of theHouse of RepresentativesfromChitwan 2on 28 April 2023, having previously represented the constituency from December 2022 to January 2023 before being stripped of his position by the Supreme Court.[1][2]
Rabi Lamichhane | |
|---|---|
| रवि लामिछाने | |
 Rabi Lamichhane during a Media Briefing | |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal | |
| In office 6 March 2024 – 15 July 2024 Serving withNarayan Kaji ShresthaandRaghubir Mahaseth | |
| President | Ram Chandra Poudel |
| Prime Minister | Pushpa Kamal Dahal |
| Preceded by | Purna Bahadur Khadka |
| Succeeded by | Prakash Man Singh Bishnu Prasad Paudel |
| In office 26 December 2022 – 27 January 2023 | |
| President | Bidhya Devi Bhandari |
| Prime Minister | Pushpa Kamal Dahal |
| Preceded by | Raghubir Mahaseth Rajendra Mahato |
| Succeeded by | Purna Bahadur Khadka |
| Minister of Home Affairs | |
| In office 6 March 2024 – 15 July 2024 | |
| President | Ram Chandra Poudel |
| Prime Minister | Pushpa Kamal Dahal |
| Preceded by | Narayan Kaji Shrestha |
| Succeeded by | Ramesh Lekhak |
| In office 26 December 2022 – 27 January 2023 | |
| President | Bidhya Devi Bhandari |
| Prime Minister | Pushpa Kamal Dahal |
| Preceded by | Bal Krishna Khand |
| Succeeded by | Narayan Kaji Shrestha |
| Chairman ofRastriya Swatantra Party | |
| Assumed office 29 January 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Dol Prasad Aryal(acting) |
| In office 1 July 2022 – 27 January 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Dol Prasad Aryal(acting) |
| Member of Parliament,Pratinidhi Sabha | |
| Assumed office 28 April 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Krishna Bhakta Pokhrel |
| Succeeded by | Himself |
| Constituency | Chitwan 2 |
| In office 22 December 2022 – 27 January 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Himself |
| Constituency | Chitwan 2 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 June 1975[citation needed] Nagarkot,Kathmandu,Nepal |
| Nationality | Nepalese(until 2007; 2023-present) American(2007–2017) |
| Political party | Rastriya Swatantra Party |
| Spouse(s) |
Isha Lamichhane
(m.1995;div.2019) |
| Parent |
|
| Profession |
|
Prior to entering politics, Lamichhane was a well-known television personality. He gained popularity for his investigative journalism and social activism, particularly his coverage of social and political issues affecting marginalized communities in Nepal.[citation needed]
Broadcast career
editLamichhane rose to fame as the host of a television show on theNews24aimed at setting the world record for the longest talk show in April 2013. He selected the 'Buddhawas born in Nepal' theme in order to "help promote Nepal globally".[3]The previous record was set by twoUkrainianpresenters who stayed on the air for 52 hours in 2011.[4]He interviewed politicians, journalists, and celebrities, and took phone calls from viewers. While he set the Guinness world record at over 62 hours in April 2013, the record has since been broken by Alexandru Raducanu of Romania, who hosted an over 72-hour-long show.[5]
Lamichhane went on to host the popularSidha Kura Pradhanmantri Sanga(Straight Talk with the Prime minister) with prime ministerKP Sharma Olion theNepal TelevisionandNews 24.[6]Later he went on to hostSidha Kura Janata Sangaon News24. The show's format has Lamichhane providing an editorial monologue alongside reporting, primarily the kind ofsting journalismpioneered by the Indian news magazineTehelka.Lamichhane follows up on complaints from ordinary people, chiefly victims of fraud or corruption, and confronts the alleged perpetrators on camera. The show has been described as "unapologetically nationalist, at times simplistic in its coverage of complex issues," and creating "a cult of personality around its host".[7][8]Lamichhane resigned fromNews24in January 2021 and announced the launch of a new version of his show asSidha Kuraon Galaxy 4K TV.[9]
Political career
editOn 16 June 2022, Lamichhane announced his resignation from Galaxy 4K TV in order to contest the2022 general electionslater in the year for a seat to theHouse of Representatives.[10]He announced the formation of a new political party, theRastriya Swatantra Partyon 21 June 2022.[11]He registered his candidacy fromChitwan 2.[12]His car was vandalized while on the campaign trail inChitwanon 13 November 2022.[13]
Lamichhane was elected with a majority of 34,312 votes, defeatingNepali Congress'Umesh Shrestha,an incumbent minister of state, andCPN (UML)'sKrishna Bhakta Pokhrel,the incumbent member of the constituency.[14]In the aftermath of the election, his party supportedPushpa Kamal Dahal's nomination for prime minister, and Lamichhane led the RSP in government as deputy prime minister and minister for home affairs.[15][16]
During his campaign for the 2022 general election, a complaint was filed calling for his candidacy to be scrapped. The complainant claimed that Lamichhane had not renounced his Nepali citizenship while being an American citizen and Nepali law does not allowdual citizenship.[17][18]On 27 January 2022, theSupreme Court of Nepalruled that Lamichhane did not follow due process to re-obtain his Nepali citizenship after renouncing his American citizenship, and thus, was not a legal Nepali citizen. This verdict effectively stripped Lamichhane of his position as deputy prime minister and minister of home affairs.[2]
After re-acquiring Nepali citizenship, he contested the by-election held for hisChitwan 2seat in April 2023, and was re-elected securing an even greater margin of votes than in the 2022 general election.[19]
Electoral history
edit| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rabi Lamichhane | Rastriya Swatantra Party | 54,176 | 70.03 | |
| Jit Narayan Shrestha | Nepali Congress | 11,214 | 14.49 | |
| Ram Prasad Neupane | CPN (UML) | 10,936 | 14.14 | |
| Others | 1,040 | 1.34 | ||
| Total | 77,366 | 100.00 | ||
| Majority | 42,962 | |||
| Rastriya Swatantra Partyhold | ||||
| Source: ECN[20] | ||||
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rabi Lamichhane | Rastriya Swatantra Party | 49,300 | 61.05 | |
| Umesh Shrestha | Nepali Congress | 14,988 | 18.56 | |
| Krishna Bhakta Pokharel | CPN (UML) | 14,652 | 18.14 | |
| Others | 1,813 | 2.25 | ||
| Total | 80,753 | 100.00 | ||
| Majority | 34,312 | |||
| Rastriya Swatantra Partygain | ||||
| Source: ECN[21] | ||||
Legal issues
editSuicide incitement
editOn 15 August 2019, police arrested Lamichhane from his News 24 office in connection with the suicide of journalist Shalikram Pudasaini.[22][23]In a video recorded before his death, Pudasaini, who had also worked forNews24,had named Lamichhane, among others, as driving him to suicide.[6]Chitwanpolice charged Lamichhane, along with two others with abetment of suicide.[24][25]His arrest provoked widespread protest rallies in his support across the country with thousands of young people taking to the streets in Chitwan.[23][26][27]Protestors saw Lamichhane's arrest as an attempt to stifle his journalism and retaliation for his exposure of corruption in the state.[28]Chitwan District Court released Lamichhane on Rs 500,000 bail a few days later.[29]JudgeHemanta Rawaleventually cleared Lamichhane of all charges.[30]
Citizenship
editLamichhane was anAmerican citizenfrom 2007 to 2017. He claimed that his previousNepali citizenshipwas revived following the renouncement of his American citizenship. A ruling of theSupreme Court of Nepalon 27 January 2023 removed him from all public offices (deputy prime minister and home minister; party chairman and parliamentary party leader) and as Member of Parliament for not following due process and obtaining a new Nepali citizenship after renouncing his American citizenship in 2017.[31]He re-acquired Nepali citizenship following due process on 29 January 2023.[32]
Dual passport
editIn 2015, Rabi Lamichhane was accused of obtaining a Nepali passport while holding both U.S. and Nepali passports, which is illegal under Nepali law that forbids dual citizenship and passports.[33]The attorney general of Nepal declined to prosecute Lamichhane for passport issues, with the Supreme Court declining to consider it as part of their case regarding Lamichhane's citizenship.[34][35][36]
Cooperative
editIn early 2024,Kantipur Dailybegan publishing a series of articles alleging Lamichhane's involvement in financial embezzlement fromcooperatives.[37]Although the primary accused was Gitendra Babu Rai, who owned the cooperative, Lamichhane was alleged to be involved as his name and signature were on financial documents.[38]Lamichhane denied all accusations and said that his name and signature were misused.[39]
A parliamentary investigation committee was formed on May 18, 2024, to investigate fraud and embezzlement in Nepal's financial cooperatives.[40]The committee determined that Rai, Lamichhane, and Director Chhabilal Joshi operated a joint account to disburse salaries and allowances to cooperative employees.[41][42]Through spokesperson Manish Jha, the Rastriya Swatantra Party claimed that the report disproves Lamichhane's complicity, however Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan of the Rastriya Prajantra Party claimed that Lamichhane could still be prosecuted for his involvement.[43][44][45][46][47]
Criticism
editWhile Lamichhane has become a celebrity in Nepal, there are some who have raised questions about his style of journalism and the "cult of personality" that has sprung up around him. While his methods have borne results for the ordinary people on whose behalf he pursues cases of fraud and corruption, critics have pointed to his "nationalist posturing" and "simplistic storylines".[7]
On 5 February 2023, after being stripped of his positions as Home Minister and Member of Parliament by the Supreme Court over irregularities in his citizenship, Lamichhane held a news conference alleging that the Nepali mainstream media had framed him. He alleged that the owners of media houses likeKantipur Publications,Annapurna Media, Setopati andOnlinekhabar(12 Bhais) had their own conflicts of interest and had gotten together to defame him. The media called his accusations "attack on the entire media industry" and that Lamichhane had thrown a temper tantrum after losing his positions in government.[48][49]
Personal life
editLamichhane was married to Isha Lamichhane for 24 years until their divorce in 2019. They had been separated for 10 years prior to their divorce.[50]He married the-then chair of the Nepal Film Development Board,Nikita Poudel,on 21 January 2019.[51]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Rabi Lamichhane elected from Chitwan-2".kathmandupost.com.Retrieved18 June2024.
- ^ab"Court strips Lamichhane of all posts over citizenship".kathmandupost.com.Retrieved28 January2023.
- ^"Nepali hosts longest-ever talk show".BBC News.13 April 2013.Retrieved10 October2020.
- ^"Nepalese presenter sets record for longest talk show - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)".ABC News.ABC. 14 April 2013.Retrieved26 November2017.
- ^"Longest marathon television talk show".Guinness World Records.Retrieved16 June2022.
- ^ab"६ महिनामै रविको सत्तायात्रा".ekantipur.com(in Nepali).Retrieved31 January2023.
- ^ab"Everyone is talking about Rabi Lamichhane. Here's what you need to know about the law that had him detained".kathmandupost.com.Retrieved10 October2020.
- ^Gill, Peter."Why Nepal loves Rabi Lamichhane – and why some revile him - The Record".www.recordnepal.com.Retrieved24 June2022.
- ^"Ravi Lamichhane quits News24 TV; Thursday's program to be the last episode".Khabarhub.Retrieved16 June2022.
- ^"Rabi Lamichhane exits TV to enter politics".OnlineKhabar.16 June 2022.Retrieved1 July2022.
- ^"Rabi Lamichhane announces Nepal Independent Party - OnlineKhabar English News".21 June 2022.Retrieved24 June2022.
- ^Republica."Rabi Lamichhane to contest HoR polls from Chitwan-2".My Republica.Retrieved23 November2022.
- ^"Rabi Lamichhane's car vandalized; RSP accuses govt of failing to provide election security - OnlineKhabar English News".16 November 2022. Archived fromthe originalon 16 November 2022.Retrieved18 November2022.
- ^"Rabi Lamichhane elected from Chitwan-2".kathmandupost.com.Retrieved26 December2022.
- ^"RSP to join govt under Chairman Rabi Lamichhane's leadership".Khabarhub.Retrieved26 December2022.
- ^Republica."Lamichhane to lead RSP in Dahal-led govt".My Republica.Retrieved26 December2022.
- ^Republica."EC seeks explanation from Ravi Lamichhane over citizenship controversy".My Republica.Retrieved23 November2022.
- ^"Issue over Lamichhane's citizenship gets complex".kathmandupost.com.Retrieved23 November2022.
- ^"Rabi Lamichhane elected from Chitwan-2".kathmandupost.com.Retrieved25 April2023.
- ^"प्रतिनिधि सभा सदस्य उपनिर्वाचनमा उम्मेदवारहरुको सुची".Election Commission of Nepal.
- ^"प्रतिनिधि सभा सदस्य निर्वाचनमा उम्मेदवारहरुको सुची".Election Commission of Nepal.
- ^"पत्रकार दुर्व्यवहार र पक्राउको शैलीप्रति महासंघको ध्यानकर्षण || Federation of Nepali Journalists".fnjnepal.org.Retrieved10 October2020.
- ^abGill, Peter."Popular Support Grows for Indicted Nepali Journalist".thediplomat.com.Retrieved10 October2020.
- ^"Pudasaini death mystery: TV host Lamichhane among three arrested".The Himalayan Times.16 August 2019.Retrieved17 August2019.
- ^"Suicide abetment charge lodged against three including Rabi Lamichhane".kathmandupost.com.Retrieved10 October2020.
- ^"Lamichhane's supporters continue protest in Chitwan".The Himalayan Times.17 August 2019.Retrieved10 October2020.
- ^Magazine, New Spolight."Angry Supporters Vandalized Police Vehicle In Chitwan".SpotlightNepal.Retrieved10 October2020.
- ^Magazine, New Spolight."Rabi Lamichhane's Supporters Demanded His Unconditional Release".SpotlightNepal.Retrieved10 October2020.
- ^"Lamichhane, Kandel released on bail, Karki on general date".The Himalayan Times.26 August 2019.Retrieved10 October2020.
- ^"Lamichhane gets clean chit in journo's suicide case".The Himalayan Times.
- ^"रवि लामिछानेको सांसद पद खारेज".Onlinekhbar.Retrieved27 January2023.
- ^"Rabi Lamichhane reacquires citizenship certificate".kathmandupost.com.Retrieved29 January2023.
- ^"Rabi Lamichhane's passport case will be resolved as per passport laws: Supreme Court".The Kathmandu Post.7 March 2023.Retrieved20 October2024.
- ^Sharma, Bhasa."Lamichhane passport case: One can file writ petition at SC against attorney general's decision not to prosecute him".Republica.Retrieved20 October2024.
- ^Media, Aawaaj (9 February 2023)."District Attorney's office begins investigation into dual passport case of Rabi Lamichhane".AawaajNews.Retrieved20 October2024.
- ^"Rabi Lamichhane passport case: Police say prosecution isn't necessary".OnlineKhabar English News.19 March 2023.Retrieved20 October2024.
- ^"ग्यालेक्सी टीभीका सञ्चालकले हिनामिना गरे १९ हजार पोखरेलीको डेढ अर्ब बचत".ekantipur.com(in Nepali).Retrieved18 June2024.
- ^"How Will Nepal's Government Respond to Victims of Loan Sharks?".thediplomat.com.Retrieved18 June2024.
- ^"Home Minister's explanation about misappropriation of co-operative funds: 'I have not taken a loan, my name is only written'".ekantipur.com(in Nepali).Retrieved18 June2024.
- ^"Major parties agree to form panel to look into cooperative scam".kathmandupost.com.Retrieved18 June2024.
- ^Karki, Tapendra (20 October 2024)."Cooperative fraud case: Rabi Lamichhane found complicit, Dhanraj Gurung to be investigated".Republica.Retrieved20 October2024.
- ^"Special committee recommends action against Rabi Lamichhane".Ratopati.16 September 2024.Retrieved20 October2024.
- ^Poudel, Purushottam (17 September 2024)."Lamichhane guilty of cooperatives funds misuse, forgery: Probe".The Kathmandu Post.Retrieved20 October2024.
- ^"Rabi Lamichhane found guilty in misappropriation of cooperative savings".Nepal's Digital Newspaper.20 October 2024.Retrieved20 October2024.
- ^"Lamichhane arrested on fraud, organised crime charges".The Kathmandu Post.19 October 2024.Retrieved20 October2024.
- ^"Nepal Police arrest ex-Dy PM Rabi Lamichhane for organized crime, misappropriation of funds".ANI News.18 October 2024.Retrieved20 October2024.
- ^"Rabi Lamichhane arrested on charge of embezzling cooperatives' savings".Republica.Retrieved20 October2024.
- ^"FNJ condemns Rabi Lamichhane's remarks on media and media persons".kathmandupost.com.Retrieved12 April2023.
- ^"Diagnosing Rabi Lamichhane's character in relation to his recent tantrum - OnlineKhabar English News".11 February 2023.Retrieved12 April2023.
- ^Magazine, New Spolight."Media Person Rabi Lamicchane Secured Divorce From His Wife".SpotlightNepal.Retrieved23 November2022.
- ^Republica."Rabi Lamichhane and Nikita Poudel get married".My City.Retrieved23 November2022.