KATHMANDU: The second phase of the Rastriya Swatantra Party's (RSP) protest campaign against the detention of its chair, Rabi Lamichhane, is set to begin on November 23. On Sunday, a news conference was held at the Chaumati headquarters of the party to make this statement. The party further disclosed that later in the day it would finalize and make public the list of candidates for the by-election scheduled on December 1.

Manish Jha, the spokesperson for the RSP, provided information about the party's plans and emphasized their willingness to step up the protest campaign. "The second phase of our protest begins on November 23 and we will unveil the list of by-election candidates by 5 PM today," Jha stated, adding that more demonstrations would take place in the days ahead.

Even though RSP lawmakers have been the target of multiple lawsuits, Jha reaffirmed the party's faith in the legal system in spite of the continuous protests. "The party will continue its movement while respecting the legal framework," he said, expressing faith in the process.

On October 18, Lamichhane was taken into custody on charges of money laundering, organized crime, and embezzlement of cooperative savings. He is still being investigated in Kaski police prison on charges that have sparked intense political backlash.

The planned demonstrations by the RSP are intended to both mobilize support for the party and contest Lamichhane's imprisonment. In addition, the announcement of candidates for the by-election highlights their continued political engagement and attention to the impending election contest.