Kathmandu, June 5 -- profile honour given to Rastriya Swatantra Party chair Rabi Lamichhane in New Delhi has taken many in Nepal by surprise.

Lamichhane's five-day visit to the southern neighbour concludes on Friday. His delegation reached Ayodhya on Thursday evening, the birthplace of Lord Ram.

After the installation of a powerful government in Kathmandu in March, New Delhi welcomed Lamichhane and accorded him the honour befitting a visiting prime minister.

The rousing welcome that Lamichhane received has triggered speculations over the internal dynamics in the ruling RSP, and the party chair's relationship with Prime Minister Balendra Shah. In a month's time, the RSP is holding its general convention, to decide its leadership.

Weeks...