UML Flag Burned in Shankar Pokharel’s Hometown, RSP Denies Role

In Tulsipur, Dang, activists from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) reportedly burned the flag of the CPN (UML). Tulsipur is the hometown of UML General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel.

A video has surfaced showing activists, who had gathered on Thursday night to welcome party chairman Rabi Lamichhane, burning a flag featuring the UML's 'Sun' election symbol. In the footage, they can be seen chanting slogans such as "KP..., leave the country" while setting the flag on fire. Lamichhane arrived in Ghorahi via Tulsipur from Surkhet late that night.

UML Central Committee member Shanta Chaudhary took to social media to protest the actions of the RSP activists. She wrote, "What could be more chaotic than this? One has the right to campaign for an election, but burning another party's flag is not allowed. This is the height of anarchy; may they realize this in time."

However, RSP Dang Chairman Binay Ghimire issued a statement last night claiming that those intimidated by the enthusiastic presence of well-wishers had carried out an infiltration to create a misleading atmosphere.

The statement clarified that the party had no involvement in the flag-burning incident and demanded that those involved be brought to justice.