A day after being stripped of all party positions, Rastriya Swatantra Party leader Mukul Dhakal launched a scathing attack on party chair Rabi Lamichhane, demanding thorough investigations into Lamichhane’s dual passport case and alleged cooperatives fraud.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Dhakal demanded the formation of a high-level committee within the party to investigate the charges against Lamichhane, who is also deputy prime minister and home minister.

Dhakal said that since the Supreme Court has ordered an investigation into Lamichhane’s involvement in the cooperative case, it is necessary to set up an independent investigation committee within the party.

“Initially, I supported him in the case of the dual passport, believing that he lacked proper knowledge of existing laws. Now, the party must conduct an inquiry into this matter, as it directly impacts our party’s future,” said Dhakal. “The formation of an investigative committee is imperative, especially since the Supreme Court has already pointed out the need for an investigation against Lamichhane in the cooperative fraud case.”

Lamichhane is accused of possessing two passports of Nepal and the US. As a complaint was filed against Lamichhane, the Nepal Police conducted an investigation against Lamichhane for holding dual passports and whether he had misused them. However, the Nepal Police concluded that as the old Nepali citizenship Lamichhane obtained had already been deactivated, there was no need to file a case.

Lamichhane, a former television host and managing director of a television channel co-founded by GB Rai, is also accused of embezzling tens of millions of rupees in collusion with Rai.

Dhakal accused the RSP of turning into a ‘Rabi Lamichhane club’ and stressed the need to transform it back into a proper party.

Dhakal stated that the party relieved him of his positions without even giving him a chance for clarification mandated by the Political Parties Act, which he believes is against the law.

“I will not cling to the general secretary’s chair by force. But the party has veered off its course because of Rabi Lamichhane. That’s my only concern,” said Dhakal.

The RSP on Tuesday relieved Dhakal of his positions as the party’s general secretary, central committee member, and spokesperson. The central committee's meeting decided to remove Dhakal from all party positions and keep him as a general party member, accusing him of breaching party discipline.

Dhakal was suspended for a week over the same allegations last week.

Dhakal had recently come out in the media with a fierce criticism of RSP’s recent activities, citing the report of a nationwide consultation he led following the April by-elections.

In his proposal based on his assessment report, the leader had demanded that the RSP should grow bigger than its perceived image of the party of Rabi Lamichhane, among other things.