The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has denied any involvement after police seized rice, liquor, and other goods from a vehicle bearing the party’s flag in Salyan district during the election period.
In a statement issued Monday, Lokendra Wali, chairperson of the RSP’s Bangad–Kupinde Municipal Committee, said the party had no role in transporting or distributing the seized materials. He acknowledged that the vehicle had been used during campaign activities but rejected claims circulating on social media that the goods were intended for election distribution.
According to the statement, the vehicle owner transported the goods after receiving transportation costs for personal use or on behalf of a local business. The party said there was no directive, decision, or organizational involvement in distributing rice, alcohol, or any other materials.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:45 a.m. on Monday during a routine security check in Sallibazar, Ward No. 1 of Bangad–Kupinde Municipality. Police said they recovered two sacks of rice, 210 bottles of liquor, two cartons of beer, and three cartons of cooking oil from a jeep registered in Karnali Province with number plate 02-001 Cha 0429.
Police detained the driver, 24-year-old Chandra Prakash Budhathoki of Siddhakumakh Rural Municipality–4, along with 37-year-old Mohan Bisi of Bangad–Kupinde Municipality–1, who was traveling in the vehicle.
In his initial statement, Budhathoki told police that the goods belonged to Bisi and were being transported toward Khairagar at his request. Police said the investigation remains ongoing.
The incident comes amid increased monitoring of political parties during the election period. Earlier, police in Morang seized a vehicle used for campaign activities by another political party and recovered approximately Rs 450,000 in cash along with campaign leaflets.
Authorities have not announced further findings in the Salyan case.
