By Deepak Joshi Pokhrel
While the entire globe was focusing to help Syria and Turkey which were devastated by a 7.8 Richter scale magnitude earthquake recently, our politicians and media were engaged in spitting venom against each other. The recent press conference of Rabi Lamichhane – a media person turned politician — and subsequent responses of the media fraternity is a case in point.
Lamichhan’s image as a national hero reached a new helm when he took the initiative to rescue the migrant workers who were duped by a foreign employment company in Nepal. He also commanded the spotlight after he, as a media person, raised the plight and grievances of women who were trafficked in the name of foreign employment. He stood up and said that he will do his best to fight for the cause of migrant workers and trafficked women in many parts of the world. His commitment and action helped him to portray himself as a national hero which is why he and his party was given the mandate by the people.
Shockingly, the fascination he exuded and the respect he commanded within a short stipulation of time is gradually declining. The commitment he made in the run-up to the election is becoming hollow talk because he had to step down as home minister after the issue of his dual citizenship was exposed. The passion and enthusiasm in his early days as a politician are waning giving the signal that he is no different than other politicians.
People appreciated him for his efforts in addressing the problems related to migrant workers who were languishing in the Middle East and other parts of the world. Likewise, people admired Rabi for his decision which he took at a time when migrant workers were duped by foreign employment agencies. The migrant workers were in serious problem and needed someone to stand up and speak out in their favor. Rabi fulfilled that role and soon he became the talk of the town.
Many viewed him as a leader who could overcome the challenges of dodging the nation even at difficult times. They called him a leader with diligence and wisdom. This is evident in the fact that he decided to form a party under his leadership and work for the betterment of the people and their country. But it is disappointing to see that the euphoria associated with him is vanishing into thin air. This is mainly due to the reason that he kept people in dark and breached his public commitment.
After his issue of dual citizenship was exposed, he resigned from office as a Home Minister. One step further, the parliament members of his party also resigned en mass the other day laying the ground to breed political uncertainty. With the move of his party members, the National Independent party was put into disgrace.
What surprised his supporter and empathizers is the fact that why did he keep people in dark regarding his dual citizenship? What also astonishes everyone is that if he could obtain his citizenship certificate within a couple of days, why he did not do that before the election? We need a convincing explanation.
Just recently, in an unprecedented move, he called a press conference in the capital. The press conference was more focused on spitting venom at the media fraternity rather than highlighting his inability to highlight the issues related to his dual citizenship. According to him, the media houses in the country are controlled and managed by external forces with diabolic agenda. He came down heavily upon media persons for allegedly working at the behest of their masters — both internal and external. Not only this, he criticized media people for their unaccountability towards people and their profession.
No doubt, he spoke the minds of the general people. At the same time, no saner mind would disagree that some media houses in the country are allegedly working at the behest of external actors who wants to create control chaos in the country. But it is surprising to see what led Rabi to blame the media fraternity which he came through and nurtured. In plain words, he was a known as media person than a politician.
Immediately after his press conference, the media house in their responses said that Rabi was losing his grip on the people. They even went on to say that Rabi’s just-concluded press conference was the ultimate expression of frustration. The press conference and subsequent response of the media houses clearly indicate that they are at each other’s throats. The blame game will not do anything good for them. It is the time to correct each other’s mistakes and failures and work in true spirit to serve the people and country.
I do not follow any political ideology — left or right. But Rabi was faring better among the present politicians. His early initiatives were indicating that he really wants to work for the betterment of the country and its people. The decision to call back all the police from VIP house duties was just a representative of his good work. Unfortunately, his dual citizenship dragged him into controversy and tainted his image. We hope that he will come forward and apologize for his little immature behavior and make a strong comeback.
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