Ravi Lamichhane started his journey from journalism to politics in the year 2022. He was a US citizen from 2007 to 2017. By raising his voice against corruption in Nepal, he emerged as a comet in the political sky there but now he is in controversies.
Journalist turned politician Ravi Lamichhane
Only forty days after the formation of the government in Nepal, the political movement is again intense. After the separation of Ravi Lamichhane and his Rashtriya Swatantra Party, which was part of the Prachanda government’s coalition, there has been a ruckus in the politics of Nepal. A man who once made headlines by conducting multiple sting operations in his TV shows, now he got caught in dual citizenship and lost power.
In fact, Ravi Lamichhane had emerged as a comet in Nepal’s politics, but his citizenship has now been declared illegal by the Supreme Court. After the action of the Supreme Court, Ravi Lamichhane had to step down from the government. He was the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs in Nepal.
Who is Ravi Lamichhane? What is controversy?
Ravi Lamichhane was the first journalist. Known as a media person for years. After this came into politics. He came into limelight in the year 2013. Through his popular TV show, he created a stir in the political world. He gained tremendous buzz by his impeccable presentation and many sting operations.
When did you enter politics?
Ravi Lamichhane started his journey from journalism to politics in the year 2022. On 16 June 2022, Lamichhane resigned from Galaxy 4K TV to contest the general elections. And then on 21 June 2022, the formation of the National Independent Party was announced as a new political party.
He contested from Chitwan 2, where he was also attacked a lot but was elected with a majority of 34,312 votes. After the election, his party supported the nomination of Pushpa Kamal Dahal for Prime Minister, who himself became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs.
Why the question arose on citizenship?
During the 2022 general elections itself, a complaint was filed seeking cancellation of his candidature. The complainant had said that even after being an American citizen, he had not renounced Nepali citizenship. There is no provision for dual citizenship in Nepal.
Ravi Lamichhane acquired US citizenship in March 2014. According to Nepal Citizenship Act 2006 Section 10 (1) any citizen of Nepal who voluntarily acquires citizenship of any other country automatically loses Nepali citizenship.
Earlier, in November 1994, Lamichhane contested the election on the basis of citizenship certificate. Even then, after becoming an American citizen, he became invalid.
What did the Supreme Court say?
Lamichhane was a US citizen from 2007 to 2017. On 27 January 2023, a decision by the Supreme Court of Nepal removed him from all public posts. The court said that Lamichhane did not follow due process.
The Supreme Court of Nepal had ruled on January 27 that Ravi Lamichhane, President of Rashtriya Swatantra Party, does not have Nepali citizenship. The constitutional bench of the court had also taken away the membership of the House of Representatives from him. The court had said that Ravi Lamichhane had not applied to regain Nepali citizenship.
been in the limelight before
On 15 August 2019, in connection with the suicide of journalist Shalikram Pudsaini, the police arrested Lamichhane from his TV channel office. In a video recorded before his death, Shalikram Pudsaini had taken Lamichhane’s name to abet him to commit suicide. On the arrest of Lamichhane, his supporters took out rallies across the country. However, Lamichhane was released on bail after a few days.
What will happen now?
There is a clear provision in this regard in the Citizenship Act 2006 of Nepal. Section 10 of the Act says that any Nepali citizen who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of a foreign country automatically loses the citizenship of Nepal. But as per Section 11 of the Act, if one renounces his foreign citizenship, it is mandatory to apply for regaining Nepalese citizenship. But Lamichhane did not follow this rule when he returned to Nepal in late 2014. However, he regained the citizenship of Nepal on 29 January 2023 by following due process.
Will there be any difference on Prachanda government?
After Ravi Lamichhane’s exit from the government, Prachanda government has not come in minority. Because Ravi Lamichhane’s Rashtriya Swatantra Party has 19 MPs. In Nepal’s House of Representatives, the Prachanda government needs 138 MPs for a majority. Therefore, even if 19 is less, there will be no effect on the health of the government. Because Prachanda has the support of a total of 268 members out of 275.
Source: www.tv9hindi.com”