Kathmandu, – Nepali Congress lawmaker Bishwo Prakash Sharma has sharply criticized the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), questioning what he described as inconsistent attitudes toward the judiciary.
Speaking during Wednesday’s session of the House of Representatives, Sharma accused RSP leaders of hypocrisy—recalling that those who once strongly criticized court rulings are now attempting to exert pressure on judicial institutions through signature campaigns.
Without naming anyone directly, Sharma referenced a 2021 Facebook post by RSP President Rabi Lamichhane that read: “Kere kere kere, I won’t follow the court’s order, is it your father’s regime or what?” The post had drawn widespread attention at the time for its tone toward the judiciary.
“Back then, they mocked the courts. Now, those same individuals are collecting signatures. Who exactly are they trying to pressure with these signatures—hospitals, campuses, or the judiciary itself?” Sharma said.
He suggested that as a relatively new political force, RSP still had much to learn. “We’re also in the process of learning. But insisting that Parliament accept only one viewpoint—that’s not something I or colleagues like me will support. The issue isn’t about old versus new parties. It’s about political conduct,” Sharma added.
Sharma also claimed that while RSP’s leader may be outside of prison, others in the party appear to be behaving as if they are confined. “They are physically free, but politically, they act like prisoners—forced to follow orders,” he said.
He noted that some current RSP members had previously been part of the Nepali Congress. However, he questioned whether they still retained the courage to speak out. “They only had that boldness while in Congress. I don’t expect them to maintain the same strength after leaving,” Sharma said.
Throughout his remarks, Sharma stressed that political debate should be grounded in values, process, and institutional respect—not driven by emotional reactions or personal popularity.
“Petitions, public pressure, and social media posts are part of democracy. But the real question is about intent and behavior,” he concluded.
