Rastriya Swatantra Party Approves First National Convention Schedule, Intensifies Internal Preparations

Kathmandu. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has intensified its internal preparations after approving the schedule for its first national convention. The schedule was approved by the Central Election Commission meeting held on Jestha 6. The election committee formation, submission of delegate lists, and collection of convention reports will be completed within the stipulated deadlines as per the schedule. According to the schedule published by the commission, election committees must be formed in 77 districts and 7 provinces from Jestha 7 to 15. Official circulars and minute copies were to be sent by Jestha 10. The schedule includes collecting reports of local and district conventions by Jestha 20, submitting district convention and election reports by Jestha 30, submitting the list of convention delegates by Jestha 25, submitting the details of office bearers elected in provincial conventions by Asar 5, and discussing the electronic voting machine. Ram Gurung, deputy chief of the commission, informed that the work is progressing rapidly as per the schedule. He stated that the convention delegates will not be finalized by Asar 1. "Even if there are minor changes, the work is proceeding according to the schedule. Recommendations are coming from the provinces to form election committees in districts and provinces. Convention delegates are not possible by Asar 1," Gurung said. The RSP's central committee meeting on Baishakh 30 decided to hold the convention in Chitwan from Asar 7-9, coinciding with the party's founding day. A convention organizing committee has been formed under the leadership of Chairman Ravi Lamichhane. Various committees have been formed for convention management, including a delegate management committee, report and proposal drafting committee, publicity management committee, information and technology management committee, accommodation and food committee, health and first aid management committee, cultural program committee, and guest reception committee. The meeting also formed a unity adjustment task force under the convenorship of General Secretary Bhupdev Shah. A statute amendment draft task force has been formed under the convenorship of Joint General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya. Both task forces were given a deadline of Jestha 10 to submit their reports. Ganesh Parajuli, a member of the task force, informed that although a draft of the statute amendment has been prepared, the process of receiving suggestions is ongoing, and it has not yet been submitted to the party. "The draft of the statute amendment has been prepared. The process of receiving suggestions is underway. It may take some time to finalize. After the party approves it, it will be implemented. Provisions may be added or removed as needed, as it will be presented at the convention," Parajuli told RatoPati. According to him, there is a proposal for 11 office bearers. Preparations are being made to appoint office bearers with representation from inclusive groups and provinces. "We had said before the election that there would be four vice-chairpersons, but that has been scrapped. The number of office bearers is still under discussion. Discussions are ongoing to ensure representation from inclusive groups and all seven provinces, but it is not finalized yet," he said. According to Parajuli, there will be one chairman, three vice-chairpersons (one mandatory female), two general secretaries, two or three joint general secretaries, one treasurer, one joint treasurer, and one spokesperson. Parajuli also mentioned that the 129-member central committee in the current statute may be expanded slightly. He said, "The current statute has a provision for a 129-member central committee, but there are only 93 central members. The size of the central committee may increase slightly, considering the population, geography, and inclusivity of the 77 districts, but it will not increase significantly." He stated that the party's organizational structure will remain the same. According to the statute, 2079 (including the third amendment in 2081), the organizational structure will include the National Convention, Central Council, Central Committee, Central Advisory Council, Central Disciplinary Commission, Central Election Commission, Central Audit Commission, and Central Departments, Provincial Committees, and Local Level Committees will remain as they are. General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti has been assigned the responsibility of drafting the 'Convention Procedure, 2083' and the parliamentary party's statute. The procedure has already been approved by the last central committee meeting. Leaders have stated that it has not been made public yet as some technical aspects need to be aligned with the statute. Parajuli mentioned that provisions such as the party chairman being the leader of the parliamentary party and the leader of the parliamentary party being selected from party members before the federal election will be removed. Regarding the first national convention and conventions, the current statute states that ad-hoc committees of wards, municipalities, districts, and provinces certified by the Central Organization Department will be the organizing committees of the respective level conventions. The currently active central committee will be the national convention organizing committee. In case of any circumstances or reasons where updated but not yet completed provincial, district, municipal, and ward committees exist, special arrangements will be made for representatives to come from the respective committees and subordinate bodies certified by the Central Organization Department to hold conventions and general conventions as per the statute. The process of selecting leadership in the convention will involve electing the central committee from party members, and the central committee will elect the office bearers. "There is no group within our party called the old RSP and those who joined later through unity. All are leaders and cadres of RSP. Regarding the election of office bearers or central members, central members will be elected by party members. The central committee will elect the office bearers. In special circumstances, leadership may also be chosen by consensus," Parajuli said. The RSP, formed in 2079 under the leadership of former journalist Ravi Lamichhane, has become the largest party in the country within four years of its establishment. In the House of Representatives election held on Falgun 21, it set a historic record by winning 182 seats with a popular vote of 5.185 million, nearing a two-thirds majority. Last year, in Mangsir/Poush, RSP united with Bibeksheel Sajha and former Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah. Currently, Ravi leads the party and senior leader Balen leads the government. The RSP decided to hold its convention to celebrate the unprecedented public support received in the election, becoming a large party, and the party's founding day.