Rastriya Swatantra Party Begins Provincial Convention in Bagmati Province

Hetauda. Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has started its provincial-level convention from Bagmati Province. It started the provincial-level convention by holding the first convention of Bagmati Province from today in Hetauda.

The convention, which will be held for two days, is expected to elect a new leadership for the provincial organization and set a political and organizational roadmap for the upcoming national convention. The convention, to be held at Himalayan Darbar in Hetauda-1, will be inaugurated by party General Secretary Kabindra Burlaoti.

Earlier, Chairman Rabi Lamichhane was scheduled to inaugurate the convention. Since Lamichhane will not be attending, General Secretary Burlaoti will inaugurate the convention. The RSP has stated that approximately 1,500 representatives selected from 13 districts of Bagmati Province will participate in the convention.

According to RSP Bagmati Province Chairman and Member of Parliament Dr. Achyutam Lamichhane, conventions have been completed in about 900 wards out of 1,121 wards in the province, and party organization has been expanded in all 119 local levels.

'It is an important opportunity for us to organize the first provincial convention in the provincial capital Hetauda,' he said, 'The convention will further strengthen the organization and set a clear direction for the upcoming national convention.'

• Indication of Electoral Competition in Leadership Selection

The main attraction of the convention will be the selection of the new provincial leadership. Although efforts are being made for consensus in the leadership selection, the possibility of an election is strong as there are aspirants for various positions, including the chairman.

The current Provincial Chairman Achyutam Lamichhane is preparing to be re-elected to the same post. He has expressed his desire to continue in the provincial leadership.

'My priority now is to further strengthen the provincial organization. I have no immediate plans to go to the central committee,' he said, 'I have a claim to the post of Provincial Chairman.'

Another claimant for the chairman post is the current provincial spokesperson Utsav Aryal, and it is understood that Krishna Man Shrestha of Dhading also has a claim to the chairmanship. Aspirant Aryal stated that he has a claim to the chairmanship. He clarified that since the current chairman Achyutam Aryal is in parliamentary responsibility, he has claimed the post of provincial chairman.

'The current chairman is also in parliamentary responsibility. My claim to the chairmanship is to further strengthen and consolidate the party's organization in the province,' he said. Sources claim that both factions within the party are preparing to go to the elections by forming their own groups.

Dr. Ramesh Dhakal and Menuka Thkuri, associated with the health sector, are aspirants for the post of Vice-Chairman. Similarly, the current General Secretary Surendra Bhatta is preparing to be re-elected to the same post.

• 65-Member Provincial Committee to be Formed

According to the RSP's statute, a 65-member provincial committee will be formed in Bagmati Province. The committee will have one Chairman, one Vice-Chairman, and one General Secretary, while there will be two Joint General Secretaries. It is stipulated that one of the Joint General Secretaries must be a woman and the other a man.

Similarly, officials including the Treasurer and Spokesperson will be selected. If elections are held according to the statute, voting will take place in two phases. In the first phase, the Chairman and provincial members will be elected, and in the second phase, officials will be selected from among the elected members.

RSP has completed district conventions in 12 out of 13 districts of Bagmati Province. The Sindhupalchok district convention has been postponed. Representatives selected from the district conventions will vote in the selection of provincial leadership.

According to RSP Makwanpur District Chairman Sanjeev Pathak, central officials, MPs, and leaders and cadres at the provincial and district levels of the party will participate extensively in the convention.

According to him, there will be detailed discussions on organizational expansion, good governance, corruption control, public interest issues, and future political strategies at the convention.

RSP is preparing to organize its first national convention in Chitwan on June 7, 8, and 9.