RSP Chair Lamichhane Defends Chief Justice Recommendation Process

Rabi Lamichhane, Chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, has defended the recommendation process for the appointment of the Chief Justice, saying it was carried out within the constitutional framework.

Speaking at a training programme organised by the party for its lawmakers, Lamichhane said both the Constitutional Council and the recommendation for the chief justice were constitutionally valid.

Referring to criticism that the recommendation had broken long-established convention, Lamichhane questioned why six names had been recommended if the process itself was unconstitutional.

“The Constitution does not state that the senior-most justice must automatically be appointed,” he said.

Lamichhane said the six recommended names had not been proposed by the RSP-led government, but were selected from among eligible candidates in line with constitutional provisions.

“If the intention was simply to follow past convention, then why would there be a need for a new government?” he said.

Stating that he does not believe in political power-sharing, Lamichhane said the Constitutional Council had selected the Chief Justice from a list of justices presented before it.

He also said it would not be appropriate to make further comments on the matter while it remains before the court.

“There is little benefit in escalating tensions or making provocative statements,” Lamichhane said. “We still have hope and trust in the court.”