Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Rabi Lamichhane on Sunday dismissed allegations of embezzling cooperative funds, asserting that he has not engaged in any financial irregularities involving cooperatives.
Addressing the House of Representatives meeting, Minister Lamichhane issued a challenge, daring anyone to present concrete evidence of fraud.
“I challenge anyone to show evidence that any decision was made to acquire a loan from cooperatives, that I submitted any loan applications or signatures during the loan process, or that any funds were deposited into my account during my tenure at Gorkha Media Network Pvt. Ltd.,” said Lamichhane.
Minister Lamichhane appealed to everyone not to hold him responsible for the wrongdoings of GB Rai, the chair of the media organisation. He stated that the disruption of parliament by Congress was fueled by sensationalised media headlines targeting him.
Lamichhane said he never served as a board member or a member of any cooperative. He said that during his time as the managing director of the media organisation, no decisions were made to redirect funds from cooperative sources.
Minister Lamichhane said he had directed the police to handcuff him if found guilty. “I have instructed the police to act in accordance with the law. I am ready to undergo legal proceedings if found guilty,” he said.
Lamichhane lashed out at the Nepali Congress, revealing that the party had offered him the prime ministerial position for a term of one and a half years. He questioned the party’s moral stance, asking why they deemed him unfit for the role of home minister yet found him suitable as a prime minister.
“If I am ineligible to serve as the home minister, what moral justification exists for me to assume the role of prime minister? I wish to pose this question in the House today. Is the offer for the prime ministerial position still on the table, or has it lapsed?” said Lamichhane.
Meanwhile, Speaker Devraj Ghimire adjourned the meeting until 11 am on Monday. Congress lawmakers stood from their seats soon after Lamichhane concluded his statement. The Speaker adjourned the meeting, saying that there were no more agenda items.
“If I am deemed unfit to be the home minister, on what moral grounds is it acceptable to become the prime minister? I want to ask this in the House today. Is the offer for the prime minister still valid, or has it expired?” he questioned.
