KATHMANDU, Oct 30: A series of high-level meetings between Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane, Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) and Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has sparked speculation about growing differences within the ruling establishment and efforts to find common ground on contentious political issues.
Held within a span of two days, the meetings have drawn attention in political circles, with sources pointing to a range of issues, including the proposed Federal Civil Service Ordinance, opposition parties' threats of protests after Tihar, the leadership of Nepal Police and internal party disputes. The controversy surrounding Inam Sapkota, who was arrested on suspicion of acting as a middleman, has also emerged as a potential subject of discussion amid growing concerns in the judiciary and police administration.
Lamichhane, who had travelled to India on a family religious trip, returned to Kathmandu around midnight on Sunday. On Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Shah visited his residence in Budhanilkantha, where the two held discussions for nearly four hours. The following day, Lamichhane met Speaker Aryal at his office in Singha Durbar for around 20 minutes. The Speaker's Secretariat described the meeting as 'informal'. No official details of either meeting have been made public.
One of the major issues reportedly discussed was the government's plan to withdraw the Federal Civil Service Bill, already registered in parliament, and introduce an ordinance before Tihar to enforce a 30-year service limit and a maximum age limit of 55 years.
Lamichhane has opposed the move, arguing that introducing an ordinance instead of proceeding with a bill already registered in parliament would force experienced civil servants to leave the service all at once. Sources say Shah consulted him on the issue, with the two leaders attempting to bridge their differences and reach an understanding.
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Meanwhile, opposition leaders, including Pushpa Kamal Dahal, coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), have been warning of protests against the government after Tihar. Sources say the meetings also touched on how to respond to the opposition's pressure, maintain government stability and move forward with political appointments.
The future of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Bahadur Karki was another issue reportedly discussed. There are allegations that the Prime Minister's Secretariat has pressured Karki to resign over suspicions of his links with arrested middleman Inam Sapkota. However, the government has not officially confirmed these claims.
Political circles have also been abuzz with speculation that disagreements between political leaders and the police leadership over political appointments, transfers and promotions, as well as decisions on whether to reopen major investigation files, have contributed to efforts to remove Karki.
The meetings also reportedly reviewed the audio controversy involving RSP lawmaker Khagendra Sunar and a possible Cabinet reshuffle. Sources further said the controversy surrounding Sapkota was among the issues discussed.
Sapkota's name came under investigation following an examination of former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana's mobile phone. According to police, messages found on the phone appeared to show assurances that court cases could be settled and police officers' promotions facilitated. Sapkota is being investigated on money laundering charges, while the Supreme Court has dismissed his habeas corpus petition.
The controversy has also drawn in senior officials from the security and judicial sectors. Additional Inspector General of the Armed Police Force (APF) Banshiraj Dahal has already been dismissed after his links with Rana came to light. APF sources had alleged that Rana attempted to secure the release of businessman Deepak Bhatta, who is in custody in connection with several cases, and that Dahal played a role in the effort.
Dahal was also accused of monitoring the private schedules of the prime minister and home ministers and leaking information. APF sources said a technical examination of former Chief Justice Rana's mobile phone had uncovered information linking Dahal to the matter.
Meanwhile, reports about Sapkota's alleged connections with senior officials have continued to surface. Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma and Supreme Court Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal have also been drawn into the controversy through media reports.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Justice Phuyal claimed that Sapkota used to portray himself as being close to the prime minister, the chief of army staff and the IGP. According to Phuyal, Sapkota would make statements suggesting that he was responsible for appointing the IGP.
Phuyal, who came under scrutiny after details of conversations between him and Sapkota in custody became public, said they had filed a complaint after Sapkota attempted to exert pressure on judges. He said they had informed the Prime Minister's Secretariat and the IGP's Secretariat and also met the chief of army staff to brief him on the matter.
Earlier, on Monday, Chief Justice Sharma issued a statement dismissing as false media reports linking him to Sapkota.
Analysts say Lamichhane, who has repeatedly described the investigation into the cooperative fraud case and allegations against him as political retaliation, may have used the meetings to raise concerns about the impartiality of state institutions.
They also believe his nearly four-hour discussion with the prime minister could open the do or to a new political alliance or working arrangement, both inside and outside parliament. His meeting with the Speaker, meanwhile, could be seen as an attempt to ensure that the RSP's political agenda moves forward.
However, not everyone views the meetings as part of a broader political understanding. Some observers believe they were driven more by internal party tensions and disagreements with the government. They point to the audio controversy involving Sunar, the possible Cabinet reshuffle and differences over the proposed ordinance as signs of unresolved friction between Lamichhane and the government.
