KATHMANDU: CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal launched a fierce attack on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at the party’s recent protest program organized in Kathmandu.
Dahal, who had previously defended Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President and former Deputy Prime Minister Rabi Lamichhane — who is currently in police custody for an investigation into cooperative deposit misappropriation — has maintained near silence on Lamichhane’s case. Not only at the party’s protest rally, but Dahal has also refrained from speaking much in Lamichhane’s support.
Lamichhane is currently in the custody of Kaski police, facing charges of fraud, organized crime and money laundering related to cooperative fund misappropriation.
The case has put Dahal in a politically delicate position. During his tenure as Prime Minister, he defended Lamichhane and opposed calls of the Nepali Congress (NC) to form a parliamentary investigation into the cooperative funds case. However, at Saturday’s rally, he distanced himself from his previous stance, stating, “It wasn’t me who said Lamichhane shouldn’t face action; it was Oli who insisted no parliamentary committee should be formed.”
The Maoist Center announced the protest program right after Lamichhane’s arrest. Many interpreted it as a show of support for Lamichhane. The party also needed RSP’s support—the third-largest force in parliament—especially after the two largest parties formed the government. But Dahal’s silence on Lamichhane’s arrest has surprised many. Dahal said in the program that the protest was not organized in support of any individual.
Party insiders reveal complex political calculations behind this shift. “We need to cooperate with RSP, but we can’t openly speak in favor of Rabi. If we declare him innocent, it would be unfair to cooperative victims,” said a senior Maoist Center office-bearer.
After Lamichhane’s arrest, following the parliamentary special investigation committee’s report, both Dahal and the Maoist Center have found themselves on the defensive. While taking a cautious stance on Lamichhane in the cooperative case, the Maoist Center has also demanded the arrests of Nepali Congress Vice-President Dhanraj Gurung and UML’s Rishikesh Pokharel.
In his speech, Dahal criticized the government’s failure to investigate NC and UML leaders implicated in the cooperative fraud case. “Arresting only Lamichhane is a result of political discrimination and prejudice. I never said Lamichhane should not face any action at all,” Dahal remarked.
Maoist Center Secretary Ganesh Sah clearly stated the party would not defend Lamichhane. “While Lamichhane’s arrest cannot be deemed wrong, the failure to investigate other leaders facing similar charges is concerning,” Sah said.
Maoist Center insiders said party leaders, including Lekhnath Neupane, advised Dahal before the rally against defending Lamichhane. Neupane reportedly warned against “repeating past mistakes,” referring to the party’s previous support for Lamichhane in the passport controversy.
