KATHMANDU, Jan 28 (NNN-XINHUA) – Nepal’s Supreme Court, yesterday, scrapped Rabi Lamichhane’s status as a member of the House of Representatives, on the grounds that he did not have Nepali citizenship, when he contested the elections, thus rendering his post as deputy prime minister and home minister, void.
“As Lamichhane didn’t acquire Nepali citizenship, even after renouncing his American citizenship, he cannot hold the position of lawmaker,” reads the ruling, from a constitutional bench of the Supreme Court.
As chairman of Rastriya Swatantra Party, which was founded months ago, Lamichhane took office as deputy prime minister and home minister, on Dec 26, 2022, when the new coalition government was formed, since his party became the fourth largest in the lower house, in the Nov 20 general elections.
“As a consequence of the verdict, Lamichhane, who doesn’t have a valid citizenship, cannot continue to hold the ministerial position and lead his party,” Bimal Poudel, spokesperson of the Supreme Court, said.
One must be a Nepali citizen to form a party, contest elections and hold public offices in Nepal.– NNN-XINHUA
