Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Chairperson of the Nepal Samajbadi Party (Naya Shakti) Dr Bbauram Bhattarai has said that there is a political vendetta against Rabi Lamichhane, President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).
Bhattarai claimed that three major leaders from the Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center), who have alternately held power for 30 years, have orchestrated a political revenge by placing Lamichhane in police custody.
Dr Bhattarai made the comment after meeting Lamichhane, who is currently in the custody of Kaski police for investigation into charges of misappropriating funds from various cooperatives, on Friday morning.
“After we announced Naya Shakt, various political forces have been emerging in the country. I understand Rabi Lamichhane as a representative of one powerful stream. Therefore, I always have goodwill towards him. He is being subjected to one hardship after another,” Bhattarai said. “I have come here to express solidarity, stating that this act is unnatural and unjust. I have also come to know about his health condition. I believe he is facing retaliatory actions.”
Dr Bhattarai also said that the roots of cooperative fund misappropriation run deep. “The corruption related to cooperative funds has its roots deeply entrenched, surrounding the three leaders who have alternated in power for 30 years. Their inaction has left small and medium cooperatives in distress,” Dr Bhattarai said. “If we fail to address these systemic issues, focusing instead on political vendettas, the real problems will remain unresolved. We must uphold the constitution and let the law take its course without diverting attention.”
