Lamichhane can contest by-polls once his citizenship becomes active: Dr Bhimarjun Acharya

KATHMANDU: Rabi Lamichhane cannot continue as the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Home Affairs, and Member of Parliament as per the Supreme Court’s verdict that came out on Friday.

Although the Prime Minister can appoint even non-parliamentarians in the cabinet for six months, Lamichhane cannot be appointed as he doesn’t have Nepali citizenship.

But Lamichhane’s citizenship will be revived once he furnishes proof that he has renounced US citizenship to the concerned District Administration Office. Once his citizenship becomes active, he can contest the by-polls in his constituency.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal can even appoint him to the cabinet for a maximum of six months.

Constitution expert Dr Bhimarjun Acharya said Lamichhane can enjoy all the facilities that a common Nepali gets once his citizenship becomes active. “The Election Commission will now fix the date for the by-polls. Lamichhane can contest the election if he has a citizenship certificate by that time,” Acharya added.

Lamichhane had come to Nepal eight years ago on a non-tourist visa. He came to Nepal again the next year and made a Nepali passport using his ‘inactive’ Nepali citizenship certificate. Nobody has filed a complaint against the use of dual passport and dual citizenship so far. However, the government can launch an investigation against Lamichhane for this offense.

The journalist-turned-politician registered Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in June. The party became the fourth largest party in the House of Representatives by contesting the election held five months later with 20 lawmakers in the House of Representatives.