After the main opposition Nepali Congress, another opposition outfit, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, has also jumped on board to target Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Rabi Lamichhane.

The Nepali Congress obstructed parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday demanding a parliamentary probe committee to investigate Home Minister Lamichhane for his alleged role in embezzling funds of a Pokhara-based cooperative fund.

Addressing a mass meeting on Tuesday after a demonstration by the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) in the capital, its chairman Rajendra Lingden targeted the home minister and even asked for his resignation over the use of force by the police against its leaders and cadres.

The RPP has taken to the streets demanding the restoration of the Hindu state, monarchy, and abolition of the federal structure. The party had already submitted a 40-point demand to the prime minister, warning that if their demands were not met, they would go for indefinite strikes and protests across the country.

Several RPP leaders and cadres were injured in the clash with the police during Tuesday’s demonstration, according to the party. It said one of its lawmakers, Gyanendra Shahi, was detained by police on the charge of instigating the demonstrators to enter the area prohibited for protest.

Lashing out at the home minister, Lingden said, “These new forces had promised to find the culprit in the Nirmala Pant case. Now I ask them, where is the culprit? A 13-year old girl from Kanchanpur, Pant, was found raped and murdered near her home on July 27, 2018. Home Minister Lamichhane publicly committed to arresting the culprits. He made this commitment when he first became home minister in December 2022, and again in March after assuming the same office.

“Where are your instructions,” Lingden asked the home minister. “Who were the culprits of Nirmala Pant? Have you found them? Such fraudulent claims do not last long,” said Lingden while asking the home minister why he is unwilling to be investigated in connection with the embezzlement of the cooperative funds.

“What kind of system is this that does not permit probe and investigation? Does the concept of good governance apply only to others, and not to you? The entire nation is questioning you. Isn’t it your duty to come forward and cooperate with the probe? Isn’t it your duty to pave the way for investigation? What kind of political system is this where Rabi Lamichhane cannot be probed?”

Lingden also vented his ire against Lamichhane for using force against RPP’s demonstrators on Tuesday.

“Despite the government’s use of excessive force against our peaceful demonstration, we are not going to backtrack,” said Lingden, adding, “If the government is unwilling to seek a compromise, the RPP will force them to surrender.”

He called on the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML, the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the Rastriya Swatantra Party to be ready for a fresh political agreement with the former king.

“If they do not come to the new agreement, then they should be prepared to leave the country.”

“Our 15 years of experience has shown that the republic is not beneficial for the nation. Only a monarchy as an institution and a directly elected prime minister can bring about change in the country. I once again advised the Nepali Congress, the UML, the Maoists and the Rastriya Swatantra Party, which has lately toed the Maoist line, that this system does not work and cannot deliver results. Let’s not leave the country in a state of indecision or push it towards disaster. We are not calling to return to the past. We are proposing a new agreement between political parties and the [former] king. If you don’t accept this, then be ready to flee the country,” Lingden challenged the ruling and opposition parties.

Addressing his supporters at the rally, he listed out ‘reasons’ why the republic has become a costly system and why the country cannot sustain it any more.

RPP Vice-chair Rabindra Mishra also addressed the rally.

“We have just shown the trailer of a blockbuster movie today. We will show the entire film soon,” Mishra said.

He also raised questions about Home Minister Lamichhane.

“What would Rabi Lamichanne’s reaction be if he were a journalist today? He would definitely question the role of the home minister and brand him incompetent for carrying out such atrocities [against RPP demonstrators]. But today he is in the chair of the home minister and is muzzling people’s freedom. What’s going on in this county,” said Mishra.

Lamichhane was a radio journalist and also hosted television shows for over a decade before joining politics.