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Rabi Lamichhane obtained Nepali citizenship again on Sunday. He reacquired citizenship from the District Administration Office by completing the necessary process. Lamichhane along with security personnel had reached the District Administration Office this morning to regain citizenship. Earlier on Friday, the Supreme Court had scrapped Lamichhane's lawmaker post saying that he never applied to reclaim his Nepali citizenship after renouncing his American citizenship. A Constitutional Bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Hari Krishna Karki comprising Justices Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, Ishwar Khatiwada, Ananda Mohan Bhattarai and Anil Sinha had issued the verdict. On December 14, advocates Yubaraj Poudel and Rabiraj Basaula registered a writ petition at the Supreme Court arguing that Lamichhane was not a Nepali citizen and his status as a lawmaker should be annulled. With the court’s decision, Lamichhane had lost his parliamentary and ministerial positions. Journalist-turned-politician Lamichhane was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister on January 26. Following the apex court’s verdict, Lamichhane tendered his resignation the same day to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. He was elected as a member of the House of Representatives from Chitwan-2.  

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song today paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Narayan Kaji Shrestha at the latter's office in Singha Durbar. The meeting between the duo focused on mutual relations between Nepal and China and the issue of projects initiated by China in Nepal, it has been said. On the occasion, they exchanged congratulations and extended best wishes for their successful tenure in office, said ministry's secretary Keshab Kumar Sharma. Offering his best wishes to the newly appointed Ambassador, the minister expressed the hope that relations at the people's level between the two countries would be further strengthened. He also urged the Chinese side to resume the widening of the long-halted Kalanki-Chabahil road soon by removing obstructions at the project site. The talks also touched on the Chinese promises to move ahead with existing projects initiated with the support of the Government of China, provide additional assistance and carry out a study of other new projects, said Sharma. The DPM Shrestha drew the attention of the Ambassador for the Chinese government to provide additional assistance for the repair and expansion of the Araniko Highway, and open the transits. The matter about upgrading the Muglin-Pokhara and Narayangadh-Butwal roads was also discussed.  

Rabi Lamichhane has reached the District Administration Office to take the Nepali citizenship. He reached District Administration Office with the necessary documents in coordination with the local administration. Earlier on Friday, the Supreme Court had scrapped the Lamichhane’s lawmaker post saying that he never applied to reclaim his Nepali citizenship after renouncing this American citizenship. A Constitutional Bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Hari Krishna Karki comprising Justices Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, Ishwar Khatiwada, Ananda Mohan Bhattarai and Anil Sinha had issued the verdict. On December 14, advocates Yubaraj Poudel and Rabiraj Basaula had registered a writ petition at the Supreme Court arguing that Lamichhane was not a Nepali citizen and his status as a lawmaker should be annulled. With the court's decision, Lamichhane had lost his parliamentary and ministerial positions. Journalist-turned-politician Lamichhane was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister on January 26. Following the apex court’s verdict, Lamichhane tendered his resignation the same day to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.  

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has postponed the party’s central committee meeting, yet again. Thursday’s move comes three days before the scheduled date for the meet. At a time of deepening dissatisfaction within the party over the leadership’s style of functioning in contravention of the party statute, this move is sure to rile the rival camp further. Deuba had postponed meets scheduled for Jan 6 and 12 also.

The party president does not want to hold the CC meet for a number of reasons. Firstly, Deuba fears he will come under criticism for failing to give continuity to the pre-poll ruling alliance. Before the 20 Nov elections, Deuba had thrown his weight behind the alliance, taking action against leaders and cadres opposing his scheme, without bothering to take the whole party into confidence.  

But the pre-poll ruling alliance fell like a house of cards for want of understanding between Deuba and CPN (Maoist Center) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal on the issue of premiership.

Initially, the largest party in the parliament (88 seats) had wanted to lead the government. This pushed Dahal to the CPN-UML camp. With support from UML and some other fringe parties, a coalition government took shape under Dahal. Though consigned to the opposition bench, the NC was forced to vote for the government in a trust vote in the parliament. Subsequently, the party has lost important positions like the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.  

All this has many CC members miffed. Deuba does not want to face their ire, with a vote for President round the bend. A CC meet will give rivals an opportunity to target Deuba, alienating Dahal further and causing more setbacks for NC. This leaves Deuba with little choice.