Butwal: As the election approaches, Sulabh Kharel, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) candidate from Rupandehi-2, has been caught in one controversy after another. Facing allegations ranging from disrespecting the judiciary to ignoring cooperative victims, Kharel has now been drawn into a fresh confrontation with the popular Facebook group “MRR Butwal” due to his election manifesto.
Use of ‘MRR’ Name for Votes, Strong Objection from the Organization
Recently, Kharel included in his election manifesto a populist agenda stating that he would “provide resources and infrastructure for MRR Butwal to conduct bhajan–kirtan (devotional activities).” However, MRR Butwal has strongly objected, accusing him of attempting to give a political color to a purely social group.
A member associated with the organization expressed anger, stating, “Using the name of MRR Butwal for votes is not acceptable under any circumstances.” When news portal “Nepal Aaja” repeatedly attempted to seek Kharel’s response, he avoided commenting. Instead of clarifying the controversy, he maintained that he would “not speak on this matter under any circumstances,” further increasing moral pressure on him.
Who Is Sulabh Kharel? From the Sobita Gautam Connection to Defending Ravi
Kharel, who is said to have returned after studying law in the United States, has consistently and strongly defended RSP Chair Ravi Lamichhane in connection with the cooperative fraud case.
Although new to politics, how he secured the ticket from a significant constituency like Rupandehi-2 was itself considered mysterious. However, according to discussions within the party, he reportedly obtained the ticket due to his close relationship (friendship) with influential RSP leader Sobita Gautam.
Four Major Controversies That Continue to Follow Sulabh Kharel:
Apart from the new manifesto-related dispute, he has faced a series of allegations:
1. Midnight ‘Ticket Hijack’
RSP had initially nominated Ashish Subedi, considered close to Balendra Shah (Balen), and sent him to Butwal as the candidate. However, on the very night Subedi began his election campaign, Sulabh Kharel allegedly used “power” to seize the official ticket overnight. Following this alleged “hijack,” local party workers reportedly split into two factions.
2. Alleged ‘Boycott’ and Non-Cooperation by Balen Shah
There is discussion that Balendra Shah (Balen), who recently entered RSP, did not fully support Kharel in the election. Although Balen reportedly toured the constituency with other candidates in his own vehicle, he allegedly ignored Kharel. It is further alleged that the Balen faction is internally working against Kharel in the election.
3. Alleged Insensitivity Toward Supreme Cooperative Victims
In Butwal’s Supreme Cooperative, approximately NPR 785 million belonging to thousands of depositors has allegedly been misappropriated. During door-to-door outreach, when victims surrounded him and sought a clear position, Kharel reportedly said, “Such matters happen during elections; this is not my concern,” and avoided the issue. Critics argue that while he defends Ravi in the cooperative case, he has ignored victims in his own constituency, leading to voter dissatisfaction.
4. Disrespect Toward the Court and Fainting in the Bench
When arson occurred at the Supreme Court and Bar premises, Kharel had written on Facebook: “When the judiciary burns, my heart did not feel even a bit of sorrow. I see the faces of Sher Bahadur and KP Oli there; these judges are constitutional thieves.” Later, when he appeared before the constitutional bench of the same court to argue a case, judges reportedly confronted him over that status. Under pressure, he allegedly collapsed (fainted) inside the courtroom.
Conclusion
As a candidate from a party that campaigns on the slogans of “good governance” and “new politics,” Sulabh Kharel’s involvement in successive controversies — from alleged misuse of a religious/social organization’s name to accusations of disrespecting the judiciary and ignoring cooperative victims — has made the election in Rupandehi-2 increasingly complex.