Sanjeeb Phuyal is the Nepali Editor of Newschecker based in Kathmandu, Nepal. He brings over a decade of experience writing and editing news. In his previous stint, he worked as online editor for The Kathmandu Post. With the growth of social media platforms—and the ever-growing competition amongst media outlets to churn out breaking news, he feels that fact-checking every piece of information has become more essential today than ever before.
Claim
Former CPN-UML leader Bhim Rawal is all set to join the Rastriya Swatantra Party.
Fact
A News24 Television clip shared with misleading text superimposed on it.
UPDATE: We have updated the headline for editorial clarity.
A video claiming that senior communist leader Bhim Rawal, who was recently ousted from the CPN-UML, is almost certain to join the Rastriya Swatantra Party has gone viral on TikTok.
Earlier on December 25, 2024, the CPN-UML expelled its senior leader Bhim Rawal from the party and stripped him of the party’s ordinary membership. The former UML vice chair had for long been without any responsibility because of his differences with party chair KP Oli.
Against this backdrop, TikTok user @theycallmesubash posted a purported news clip regarding a scheduled press meet by Rawal. In the clip, the news anchor says, “Dr Bhim Rawal is scheduled to hold a press meet on January 1 with an objective to announce a new party.” The text superimposed on the video reads, “It has been certain that Dr Bhim Rawal will join the Ghanti Party [Rastriya Swatantra Party headed by Rabi Lamichhane].”
The video posted on December 30, 2024, has garnered 4148 likes, 35 users have shared it.
Newscheker found the claim to be misleading.
Fact Check /Verification
To check the veracity of the claim, Newschecker closely observed the video and noticed that the logo of News24 Television on the top left corner of the video.
Taking a clue from the video, we searched the YouTube channel of News24 TV and found a video titled ‘Afternoon Fatafat’ posted on the channel on December 30, 2024. On checking the video, we found that the clip from 0.36-minute to 0.44-minute exactly matched the viral video. However, we didn’t find any text stating that Rawal is going to join the Rastriya Swatantra party.
Further, we searched for news reports about the said press conference and found several news articles regarding Rawal’s press meet. On checking an article, dated January 2, 2025, published on Kathmandu Post online, we found that Rawal didn’t announce a new party despite rumours. “Rawal stated that he would form one soon after heeding suggestions and feedback from the general public,” the article read.
Likewise, we also checked an article, dated January 2, 2025, posted on My Republica, and found that leader Rawal, at the press conference, announced his plans to establish a “patriotic alternative political force”.
However, we didn’t find articles indicating that Rawal hinted at joining the Rastriya Swatantra Party, chaired by Rabi Lamichhane, who stands accused of embezzling cooperative funds, and is currently in custody for investigation of charges, including money laundering and organised crimes.
Thus, our findings clearly suggest that expelled communist leader Bhim Rawal has never shown an iota of interest in joining the Rastriya Swatantra Party.
Conclusion
Bhim Rawal has never said that he will join the Rastriya Swatantra party. The viral clip reports about the planned press meet of Rawal where he was speculated to announce a new party. The text superimposed on the viral clip is exaggerated, and thus is misleading.
Result: False
Sources
New24 Television, December 30, 2024
Kathmandu Post, January 2, 2025
My Republica, January 2, 2025
To give your feedback on any suspicious news and information or to check its authenticity write to us at [email protected] or whatsapp us on 9999499044. You can also visit the Contact Us page and fill the form.
Sanjeeb Phuyal is the Nepali Editor of Newschecker based in Kathmandu, Nepal. He brings over a decade of experience writing and editing news. In his previous stint, he worked as online editor for The Kathmandu Post. With the growth of social media platforms—and the ever-growing competition amongst media outlets to churn out breaking news, he feels that fact-checking every piece of information has become more essential today than ever before.
