Chitwan, June 21 -- Having walked away from his television programme "Sidha Kura", Rabi Lamichhane announced the formation of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) on June 20, 2022, declaring, "We will ring the bell in the minds of the corrupt."

Even before approaching the Election Commission to register the party's proposed name and election symbol, Lamichhane declared the beginning of a campaign for good governance. Within six months of its formation, the party secured an unexpected electoral mandate and joined the coalition government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal immediately after the elections.

On December 26, 2022, the day Dahal took the oath of office, he appointed Lamichhane as deputy prime minister and home minister. RSP lawmakers Shi...