KATHMANDU, July 9: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has accused former Home Minister and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane of misusing a US visit visa. Speaking during Wednesday’s parliamentary session, Minister Lekhak raised questions about Lamichhane's past stay in the United States.
Lekhak said:
“We trust journalist Rabi Lamichhane but not Home Minister Rabi...
"Honorable Rabi Lamichhane, who was also a member of this respected House, appears to have traveled to the United States on a visit visa. I’ve heard he went as a visitor, meaning on a type of visit visa. I want to know: did he indeed go as a visitor? If not, what type of visa did he use? If it was a visit visa, is it legally permissible to obtain citizenship and stay in that country under such a visa?"
Lekhak further questioned whether such an act constituted visa misuse. He challenged whether political leaders who may have misused a visit visa can preach about ethics and morality to others.
“If it was indeed a misuse of a visit visa, is it appropriate for party members of such a leader to lecture others on ethics? Shouldn’t moral responsibility begin with oneself?” Lekhak added. “I hadn’t raised this issue until now. But if others are going to make baseless attacks against the Prime Minister, who represents the nation abroad, then these questions must be addressed.”
He concluded by urging Lamichhane to first clarify his own past before accusing others.
