KATHMANDU: Rashtriya Swatantra Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane has defended Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s absence from an all-party meeting he recently convened.
Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Lamichhane stated that the Prime Minister’s attendance was unnecessary due to a clear division of political responsibilities between them.
Lamichhane noted that the Prime Minister remains engaged in continuous meetings. He cited Shah’s ongoing dialogue with residents and representatives from flood-affected areas as a clear indicator of his sensitivity to public concerns. ‘It is a different matter to say that he should have come or stayed, but where sensitivity is needed, it is there,’ Lamichhane said.
He argued that there is a defined structure for political work, which eliminates the need for duplication of efforts. ‘Now, there is a clear blueprint where the party handles party responsibilities and the government and the Prime Minister handle government responsibilities, so there is no need for duplication,’ he explained.
Highlighting that the Prime Minister has been holding in-depth discussions with municipal heads and ward chairpersons, Lamichhane described these engagements as a result of their work-sharing arrangement.
He urged the media to move past questions regarding the Prime Minister’s absence, stating, ‘This question will remain with you throughout this term. However, you should have dumped this question today, because we have divided the work.’
