Very nice piece, Behoove_Me. I have often wondered why Sujata Koirala allowed a parasitic personality like Dhamala around her. He brought her nothing but trouble. Perhaps there was some financial interest involved, I don't know for sure. However, as I reflect back on things, I think some people in power feel a need to be surrounded by sycophants and yes-men. The volatile nature of politics, especially Nepali politics, breeds deep insecurity in many politicians. Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown as Shakespeare said. Indira Gandhi, Richard Nixon and former King Gyanendra were others who  were driven to desperation by thier insecurities and they too kept close to them some rather odd characters. As was GPK in the early years of his Prime Ministership.I think Dhamala played to Sujata's insecurity as did Arjun Narshing KC and others who she allowed to take advantage of her proximity to her father.

Dhamala strikes me as a kiss-up, kick-down person going by your story. I can't find the right vocabulary to describe him. He was slapped by Indian security personal in South Block/Rashtrapati bhawan for trying to force his way in by faking to be part of a visiting Nepali delegation, was thrown of a plane en-route to Bhutan when he demanded a seat in a govt delegation and has a history of doing things that point to a man lacking self-respect and dignity. Just the kind of person an insecure leader needs to comfort them.

Back in the days Kings had jesters in their courts to amuse them,I guess these days we have the likes of Rishi Dhamala :)