Kathmandu, Aug 10: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane held a 45-minute meeting with Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Sunday evening amid growing suspicion and strains between the government and the party.
Lamichhane visited the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar to meet Shah. Sources said the two leaders discussed recent political developments, including disagreements within the ruling side.
Lamichhane is said to be unhappy after Prime Minister Shah recently wrote on Facebook that he had been forced to face various challenges alone. The two leaders also discussed some political appointments, possible government moves and the party’s expectations, according to a source.
The meeting also reportedly touched on Shah’s planned visit to India and Lamichhane’s proposed trip to China in the coming days.
According to a high-level source, the two leaders discussed the selection of ambassadors, several senior appointments and the role of ministers. A source at Baluwatar said the meeting should not be seen as evidence of a serious rift between them.
“It may appear that a major divide has emerged between the two leaders, but that is not the case. This can be viewed as a regular discussion,” the source said.
A party source said Lamichhane had gone to Baluwatar with RSP Vice President and Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle. However, a security source did not confirm this. Prime Minister Shah was also said to have been accompanied by his chief adviser, Kumar Ben. Ben, however, told Onlinekhabar that he was not present at the meeting.
This was Lamichhane’s second visit to the Baluwatar residence since Shah became prime minister. Shah rarely holds meetings at the residence, apart from informal gatherings and family occasions.
A high-level security source confirmed that several senior leaders, including Kumar Ben, had attended the previous meeting between Lamichhane and Shah.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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