Controversial remarks from leaders and lawmakers of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party have become routine over the past several months. Some have told justices to take off their robes and enter politics, while others have accused the judiciary of taking an autocratic path simply because it refused to uphold government decisions.
Last month, lawmaker Achyutam Lamichhane described a woman giving birth outside a hospital in Rajbiraj as a conspiracy to defame the government. He went on to suggest that people were being used to deliberately undermine the government or cause it to fail. In reality, the 30-year-old woman and her husband could not afford a laboratory test. She gave birth while the couple was struggling to borrow money. Lamichhane’s remarks were demeaning to a poor family with no connection to politics. Yet the party did not even consider reprimanding him.
Lawmakers are not the only ones making controversial statements. Ministers, too, have engaged in similar behaviour. Sunil Lamsal, infrastructure minister in the Balendra Shah cabinet, has repeatedly threatened to break contractors’ legs if they fail to complete their work, regardless of the circumstances. Khagendra Sunar has now joined the list of RSP figures whose conduct has raised serious questions. His arrogance and indecorous public behaviour were evident even before he entered politics. The RSP nevertheless considered him a suitable candidate for the House of Representatives from Banke, and voters elected him.
Since entering Parliament, however, Sunar’s abrasive and confrontational behaviour has only intensified. His disrespectful treatment of Nepal Police leadership and opposition leaders is unbecoming of a lawmaker. Yet the party leadership has so far failed to rein him in.
Now, a series of audio clips allegedly featuring Sunar has surfaced. The language used in the recorded conversations is quite vulgar and defamatory. The remarks appear to go beyond threats against another individual and include degrading language directed at a woman. Unlike in previous incidents, the RSP has acted promptly this time, initiating an investigation and suspending Sunar from public party activities.
Everyone is expected to behave decently, but the obligation is greater for elected representatives entrusted with public responsibility. No justification exists for their derogatory remarks. The RSP leadership must acknowledge that public frustration with the conduct and language of traditional political leaders was among the factors that drove voters towards the party. The crude jibes from former prime minister and CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli and other leaders frustrated many. The RSP cannot repeat the very behaviour that discredited its predecessors.
The party must act decisively whenever such incidents come to light. Had it taken timely action against earlier offenders, a lawmaker like Sunar might not have felt emboldened to go this far. Investigations must not become a means of buying time or containing public outrage. They must lead to credible findings and appropriate consequences. The RSP now has an opportunity to demonstrate that it holds its representatives to a higher standard. It is time for the ruling party to set an example.