KATHMANDU: Former Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Asim Shah wrote on Facebook on Monday midnight, “Finally, the story has a happy beginning. Two brothers – Rabi [RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane] and Balen [Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah] – have reunited. This is not just a meeting of individuals, but a meeting of hope that the country has been longing for. Congratulations to all us Nepalis.”

Rabi and Balen had a discussion for about six hours on Monday night at former MP Shah’s residence. It became a topic of discussion and speculation after a photo of Rabi and Balen leaving in the same car after concluding their discussion at 1:30 AM became public.

The meeting between Rabi and Balen, which took place less than four hours after CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba met to discuss the restoration of the dissolved House of Representatives, has been viewed as meaningful. The two meetings held on the same day also show the possibility of political polarization targeting the upcoming elections. However, the RSP has stated that the meeting with Balen was “only an initial stage of discussion.”

After the Gen Z revolt, the new generation had widely sought Balen. Despite Gen Z demand that Balen lead the new government, he did not appear in front. The long discussion between Balen, who played a role in forming the new government from behind the scenes, and Rabi, who was recently released from prison, has sent ripples across the country’s political spectrum.

According to the statements made public by RSP Vice Chairman Dol Prasad Aryal and former MP Shah, who participated in the Rabi-Balen discussion, they discussed the possibility of moving forward together in the upcoming elections. Even if Rabi has been released from jail on bail, he can contest the election but cannot become an MP until his case is resolved. That is why there are speculations about the RSP trying to make Balen or Kulman Ghising their prime ministerial candidate.

Cases registered against Rabi in ​​Kaski, Kathmandu, Rupandehi and Chitwan districts are sub judice at the courts there. A case of cooperative fraud, organized crime and money laundering has been filed in Kaski. Section 27 of the Asset (Money) Laundering Prevention Act, 2008 states that any official or staff of any organized institution established under the prevailing laws or civil servant shall be deemed to be automatically suspended for a period he/she is detained as per this Act or until the case filed against him/her pursuant to Section 22 is settled.

Similarly, Section 248 (3) of the Rules of the House of Representatives of 2023 states that “If an indictment has been filed in a criminal case punishable by imprisonment for three years or more or involving moral turpitude under the prevailing law and he/she is detained for trial, during the period of such detention or if he is required to remain in detention for trial pursuant to a court order, he/she shall not be entitled to perform any work or receive any rights or immunity as a member and shall remain suspended for such period and his remuneration, services and facilities shall also be suspended.”

However, there is a difference of opinion among legal experts on whether one can become an MP while a case is pending against him/her. Some argue that even if Rabi wins the election, he will not be able to become an MP based on this law, while others claim that the rules on political matters may be amended since it is customary to make new rules after new MPs are elected.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Kantipur Television, RSP leader and former minister Shishir Khanal revealed that the RSP wants to see one of Rabi, Kulman and Balen as the Prime Minister after the upcoming election. However, RSP central member and former MP Sobita Gautam says that there was no talk of sharing posts for the upcoming election in Monday’s discussion, as was being speculated in the market.

According to her, an attempt was made to know each other’s political thinking and understanding during the meeting. Gautam says, “It was an ice-break in terms of understanding each other and knowing whether they are on the same political ground. This has opened the door for further talks. The chairman has already informed us that there were no talks about sharing posts.”

The RSP had earlier decided to move forward with dialogue with alternative forces. In accordance with the same policy of the RSP, while Rabi was still in prison, he met with various people, including Kulman Ghising, and urged them to join his party. However, after things did not work out, Kulman’s team registered the Ujyalo Nepal Party. Former AIG Bishwaraj Pokharel, however, joined the RSP after meeting Rabi.

While Rabi was holding political meetings in prison, other leaders of the RSP, too, held discussions with famous people from various fields to form an alternative force. For the past two months, the RSP had been holding continuous discussions to bring together people who have succeeded in various professions and businesses and have gained popularity in various fields. Accordingly, the RSP had gone for unity with the Bibeksheel Sajha Party. According to central member Gautam, Balen and Rabi met in order to continue this even after Rabi’s release.

RSP Chairman Lamichhane has also said that the party has been trying to bring together alternative forces that have been engaged in change through dialogue and has now started dialogue to finalize it. Regarding the discussion of making Balen the Prime Minister, he said in Chitwan on Tuesday, “We have not entered that phase yet. We have to know everything first.”

The RSP, which is making extensive preparations for the March 5, 2026 election, has already started discussions with those who have applied for proportional representation and other processes. On the one hand, the RSP is preparing for the election, and on the other, it is busy holding discussions with various individuals and groups to develop the party as an alternative force, says Pratibha Rawal, the party’s co-spokesperson. “The RSP is taking the discussions forward by forming a dialogue committee. In the changed political environment, the process of collaborating and uniting with those who share common views is ongoing. The meeting with Balen also took place in that process,” she told Nepal News.