The Rise and Fall of Rabi Lamichhane in Nepal Politics: A Detailed Timeline

Rabi Lamichhane’s journey in Nepal politics is a gripping saga of meteoric success and a stunning collapse. From a beloved TV journalist to the founder of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), he captivated Nepal with promises of reform—only to see his career unravel amid legal battles, citizenship disputes, and financial scandals. As of March 21, 2025, his story remains a hot topic in Nepal’s political landscape. Let’s explore the full timeline of Rabi Lamichhane’s rise and fall, unpacking the key moments, controversies, and what’s next for this polarizing figure.

Rabi lamichhane
Member of parliament,Nepal

Who Is Rabi Lamichhane? From Journalist to Political Star

Rabi Lamichhane was born on May 11, 1974, in Bhaktapur, Nepal, into a middle-class family. His early life offered little hint of the fame to come. After moving to the United States in the 1990s, he worked odd jobs before gaining American citizenship in 2007. Returning to Nepal, he entered the media spotlight in 2013 with a record-breaking 62-hour talk show on News24, aiming for a Guinness World Record. This stunt showcased his flair for attention-grabbing moves.

His real breakthrough came with Sidha Kura Janata Sanga ("Straight Talk with the People"), a hard-hitting investigative show that exposed corruption and championed the underdog. With over a million Facebook followers—eclipsing Nepal’s political giants like KP Sharma Oli and Sher Bahadur Deuba—Lamichhane built a loyal fanbase. His transition to politics in 2022 with RSP turned that popularity into power, marking him as a fresh face in Nepal’s stale political scene.

Keywords: Rabi Lamichhane biography, Nepal journalist, Rastriya Swatantra Party founder

The Meteoric Rise of Rabi Lamichhane in Nepal Politics

Lamichhane’s political ascent was a masterclass in tapping into public discontent. Here’s how he soared to prominence:

Launching RSP and Winning Big in 2022

On June 21, 2022, Lamichhane founded the Rastriya Swatantra Party, promising to dismantle Nepal’s corrupt political establishment. With the November 2022 general elections looming, he campaigned in Chitwan-2, a constituency hungry for change. His message of transparency and accountability struck a chord, delivering a landslide victory with 49,300 votes—beating his closest rival by 34,312 votes. RSP stunned analysts by clinching 20 parliamentary seats, emerging as Nepal’s fourth-largest party in under seven months.

By December 2022, Lamichhane joined Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s coalition government as Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. At 48, he was a youthful contrast to Nepal’s aging leaders, offering hope to a nation weary of recycled promises from parties like Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and the Maoists.

Why Rabi Lamichhane Succeeded

Several factors fueled his rise:

• Media Credibility: Years of exposing corruption on TV gave him unmatched public trust.
• Outsider Appeal: As a non-career politician, he stood apart from Nepal’s dynastic elites.
• Populist Messaging: His nationalist rhetoric and focus on everyday issues—like jobs and governance—won over the masses.

Supporters hailed him as Nepal’s “anti-corruption warrior,” a David against the Goliath of entrenched power.

Keywords: Rabi Lamichhane rise, Nepal elections 2022, RSP success, Nepal political reform

The Dramatic Fall of Rabi Lamichhane: Scandals and Setbacks

Lamichhane’s downfall was as dramatic as his rise, marked by legal entanglements and a tarnished reputation. Here’s how it unfolded:

The Citizenship Controversy That Shook His Career

Trouble struck on January 27, 2023, when Nepal’s Supreme Court declared Lamichhane ineligible to hold office. Having renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2017, he hadn’t completed the formal process to reclaim Nepali citizenship—a requirement under Nepal’s strict laws banning dual citizenship. The ruling stripped him of his parliamentary seat, Home Ministry role, and RSP leadership, forcing a humiliating resignation.

Refusing to fade, Lamichhane swiftly reacquired citizenship on January 29, 2023, and contested a by-election in Chitwan-2 on April 28, 2023. He won again, this time with an even wider margin, proving his grassroots support remained intact. But the episode exposed vulnerabilities, planting seeds of doubt about his judgment and legal standing.

The Cooperative Fraud Scandal: A Fatal Blow

The real collapse came in October 2024, when the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested Lamichhane following a Kaski District Court warrant. He was accused of embezzling Rs 1.19 billion from cooperatives like Suryadarshan, Supreme, Swarnalaxmi, Sahara Chitwan, and Sanopaila. Investigations alleged he diverted funds into Gorkha Media Network, where he’d been managing director before entering politics. In the Sahara Chitwan case alone, Rs 480 million was reportedly moved under his sole signature.

Charged with organized crime, fraud, and money laundering, Lamichhane spent 84 days in detention. He secured bail—Rs 6 million from Kaski on January 9, 2025, and Rs 5.4 million from Chitwan on February 6, 2025—but the damage was done. In December 2024, the Parliament Secretariat suspended his membership, barring him from future elections unless acquitted. The scandal shattered his anti-corruption image, turning his own rhetoric against him.

Additional Controversies That Piled On

Lamichhane’s troubles didn’t end there:

• 2019 Suicide Case: He was arrested for allegedly abetting a journalist’s suicide linked to his TV show, though acquitted later.
• Dual Passport Claims: Rumors of illegally holding U.S. and Nepali passports dogged him, fueling public skepticism.

Critics argued RSP was a one-man show, collapsing without Lamichhane’s charisma. His lack of political experience left him ill-equipped to navigate Nepal’s cutthroat power games.

Keywords: Rabi Lamichhane fall, Nepal cooperative fraud, citizenship scandal, Nepal political controversies

What Drove Rabi Lamichhane’s Rise and Fall?

Keys to His Rise

• Media Mastery: His TV fame gave him a ready-made platform and audience.
• Public Anger: He harnessed frustration with leaders like KP Oli and Sher Bahadur Deuba.
• Youthful Energy: At a time when Nepal craved new blood, he delivered.

Triggers of His Fall

• Legal Oversights: The citizenship fiasco and fraud allegations exposed sloppy preparation.
• Political Enemies: Rivals, fearing his popularity, seized every misstep to undermine him.
• Overreliance on Persona: RSP’s lack of depth beyond Lamichhane left it vulnerable.

Supporters claim he was targeted by a corrupt system; detractors say he was a fraud undone by his own hubris.

Keywords: Nepal political scandals, Rabi Lamichhane downfall reasons, RSP Nepal challenges

Where Is Rabi Lamichhane Now in 2025?

As of March 21, 2025, Rabi Lamichhane’s political future hangs in limbo. Facing ongoing trials for fraud and money laundering, he’s out on bail but sidelined from parliament. RSP, once a rising force, struggles to regain traction without its founder’s star power. Public opinion is split: fans see him as a martyr of political vendettas, while critics view him as a cautionary tale of unchecked ambition.

Could he stage a comeback? It depends on court outcomes and whether his base—still vocal on platforms like X—stays loyal. For now, his legacy is a mixed bag: a symbol of hope turned into a lightning rod for controversy.

Keywords: Rabi Lamichhane 2025 update, Nepal politics news, RSP future

Rabi Lamichhane’s Legacy in Nepal: Lessons Learned

Rabi Lamichhane’s rollercoaster career mirrors Nepal’s turbulent political climate. His rise proved outsiders can shake up the system; his fall showed how quickly trust can erode amid scandal. He challenged the old guard but couldn’t escape the pitfalls of Nepal’s legal and political minefield. Whether he’s remembered as a reformer or a failure, his story underscores the fragility of public faith in a nation desperate for change.

What do you think—can Rabi Lamichhane reclaim his place in Nepal politics, or is his chapter closed? Share your thoughts in the comments!

---