Lamichhane questions rationale behind calls to form parliamentary inquiry panel

KATHMANDU: Minister for Home Affairs, Rabi Lamichhane, has questioned the rationale behind the calls to form a parliamentary inquiry committee against him.

Speaking to reporters after an all-party meeting called by Speaker Devraj Ghimire on Tuesday, Lamichhane asked: “What kind of inquiry committee should be formed? Why should it be formed? What kind of precedent will be set by forming it? Shouldn’t there be a complaint filed somewhere first?”

Lamichhane, who is also the President of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), said calls are being made to form an inquiry committee based solely on complaints without any formal registration. “Is everyone prepared to set such a precedent?” Lamichhane questioned.

Stating that his name has not been included by a struggle committee formed by cooperative victims, Lamichhane said it would be wrong to form inquiry committees based solely on media reports.

Lamichhane also said he had held a telephone conversation with his Malaysian counterpart over GB Rai – the main accused in the cooperative fraud. “Why was he allowed to flee the country? It’s a bit complicated to bring back someone who has already left, but we are trying hard to bring him back,” he said. “The government’s main priority is on refunding the money to the depositors of cooperatives.”

The main opposition, Nepali Congress, has stated that it would obstruct the upcoming budget session of parliament as well unless a parliamentary inquiry panel is formed to probe allegations against Lamichhane.

Meanwhile, an all-party meeting to end the political deadlock organized by Speaker Ghimire has ended inconclusively.