Internal strife intensifies within Rastriya Prajatantra Party as leaders challenge Lingden's leadership

Kathmandu. Internal conflict within the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has reached a breaking point. Dissident factions have begun mobilizing against Chairman Rajendra Lingden, citing the party's poor performance in the Falgun 21 federal elections and criticizing his unilateral leadership style.

A meeting of the dissatisfied faction was held on Sunday to address these issues. Attended by General Secretary Dhaval Shamsher Rana and over two dozen leaders, the gathering featured sharp criticism of Chairman Lingden. Leader Dilnath Giri stated that the party, which had moved forward with new enthusiasm after the unity convention, has now shrunk significantly.

He remarked, 'Before the election, the Chairman told us to let him play, promising to make RPP the country's leading party, but the results were unimaginably negative.' According to Giri, even after a month and a half since the electoral failure, the leadership has taken no moral responsibility, leaving party workers in a state of uncertainty.

The dissident faction believes the Deputy Speaker election episode has further fueled suspicion within the party. Leader Giri noted that the decision to field a candidate for the Deputy Speaker position was made without any discussion in the Central Committee or the Performance Committee, raising questions about the party's ideological foundation.

As the dispute escalates, the dissident faction has posed a serious ultimatum to the leadership, demanding they either reform or face collapse, while putting forward a 3-point demand. They have stated that there is no alternative to an immediate central convention to revitalize the party and elect new leadership.

Their demands include: first, the formation of a convention organizing committee led by an impartial individual to ensure a balanced and credible environment; second, the announcement of a date for the central convention within one week; and third, the formation of a committee to investigate actions taken against the party's constitution and discipline since the unity convention, with a report to be presented at the upcoming convention.

Reminding the leadership that despite the extension of the party's term, there is a mandatory requirement to hold a convention by Jestha 2083, the dissident faction has warned of further strict measures if these demands are not addressed.

With claims that Chairman Lingden's leadership style has jeopardized the future of millions of party workers, the debate over leadership change has intensified. Leaders noted that while there was internal conflict before the election, it has only worsened since.