The Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench revoked the parliamentary seat of Rabi Lamichhane, chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, due to a citizenship issue. The decision came as Resham Chaudhary, patron of the Nagarik Unmukti Party, delivered a sharp critique of Nepal’s political and judicial trends at the ongoing 15th General Convention of the Nepali Congress in Kathmandu.
Addressing the opening session of the Nepali Congress’s 15th General Convention at Khulamanch, Chaudhary criticised the tendency to imprison popular public representatives on various pretexts. He performed a satirical song, stating, “I am confined within four walls these days, perhaps because I received many votes, I am locked in jail. The logo of an MP is on my chest, but the government showed me the path to a dark cell.” He sarcastically remarked that for popular leaders, the path often leads to prison.
Chaudhary also questioned why the Tharu community’s religion and identity were compromised with the advent of the republic. He asserted that his community would not compromise on their Dashain jamara, tika, and colourful garlands, stating that religion, culture, and identity are linked to their existence. He demanded answers from the leadership regarding the Tharu community’s access to high state offices, such as Chief Justice, Army Chief, and Chief Secretary. Chaudhary also reiterated the long-standing demand for Tikapur, Kailali district, to be declared a separate district.
Lamichhane’s parliamentary seat was nullified after the Supreme Court found him guilty in a citizenship case. He had previously faced scrutiny over his Nepali citizenship after renouncing his American citizenship without completing the re-acquisition process. He was also previously detained in April 2025 in connection with a cooperative fraud case and released on conditions in December 2025.
Chaudhary himself was released from jail on May 29, 2023, after receiving a presidential amnesty on Republic Day. The Supreme Court upheld this decision on September 22, 2026. He was previously convicted for his alleged role as the mastermind of the Tikapur incident on August 24, 2015, during the Tharuhat-Tharuwan movement in Tikapur, Kailali, which resulted in the deaths of eight security personnel and a minor.
The Nepali Congress’s 15th General Convention, which began today, Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Khulamanch, Kathmandu, was inaugurated by Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa. The convention’s slogan is “Respect for tradition and resolve for change: A strong Congress as an alternative for a prosperous Nepal.” Approximately 7,500 to 7,700 delegates are participating.
The closed session of the General Convention will continue on Monday and Tuesday, October 5 and 6, 2026, at Khulamanch. Voting for new leadership is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, October 8 and 9, 2026, across three locations: Khulamanch, National Assembly Hall, and Nepal Academy. The political implications of Lamichhane’s seat revocation and the current status of the demand for Tikapur to be declared a district remain unclear.
