Sumana’s Speech Misrepresented by Media Linking Her Statement to Rabi Lamichhane

Kathmandu: Some online media outlets have spread a misleading narrative by linking former Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader and former Education Minister Sumana Shrestha’s remarks on party democracy with RSP President Rabi Lamichhane. The attempt appears aimed at creating confusion over her statement at a program on Saturday.

At the founding convention of the ‘People’s First Party’ in Kathmandu, Shrestha shared advice for those entering new politics based on her experience. She emphasized that democracy weakens when a party centers around a single individual. She warned against the mentality that “if one person is not there, the country will collapse.”

Shrestha also raised questions about the September 9 incident and internal party democracy, mentioning the CPN (UML) and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. She said, “It is not true to say that only one person provides a way out for the party and the country. If that person does not exist, the country will go into chaos. If that is the case, what kind of country have we created?” She urged the new party to avoid personality worship and focus on strengthening democratic systems.

However, online outlets such as ‘Hulak Sanchar’ and ‘OTV Nepal’ circulated clips of her speech with misleading captions like ‘Sumana’s Speech After Rabi’s Departure’. There is no connection between Rabi Lamichhane leaving the RSP and Shrestha’s remarks.

After Shrestha left the RSP, party supporters have repeatedly criticized Lamichhane. Some media outlets appear to have added his name to exploit public sentiment.

The 1-minute-28-second video posted by Hulak Sanchar has over 25,000 reactions and more than 1.5 million views. OTV Nepal’s 11-minute-48-second video has over 1,300 reactions and nearly 60,000 views. TikTok and Facebook users have also downloaded and shared Hulak Sanchar’s video. A TikTok user named Vishal has received over 2,000 likes and 60,000 views on the clip.

Shrestha criticized this media behavior, calling it a spread of “poison” in society. She told TechPana, “In the current political spectrum, there is an attempt to push the idea that change comes only by insulting people. The more frustration people feel, the easier it is for some to claim ‘I am the only solution.’ This is being done for short-term political gains.”

She warned that media manipulation exploits people’s conformity bias, the tendency to accept information that aligns with their beliefs. “If the media manipulates in this way, it can lead society in dangerous directions,” she said.

 

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