Rastriya Swatantra Party Prepares for First National Convention, Gandaki Province Elects New Leadership

Pokhara. Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is on the verge of its first national convention. Some district conventions are yet to be completed. Even with conventions remaining in two districts in Gandaki, preparations for the provincial convention are underway.

RSP's Gandaki Province convention is happening on Friday. Central leaders are scheduled to inaugurate the convention to be held in the auditorium. Currently, everyone's attention is focused on the leadership that will emerge from the provincial convention. The RSP, which has completed district and local level conventions, will elect the provincial leadership by Friday, or by Saturday at the latest.

Indeed, conventions have not yet been held in Manang and Mustang out of Gandaki's eleven districts. Not only district conventions, but also rural municipality and ward level conventions have not taken place in these districts. Among the nine districts, leaders themselves have filed complaints at the center questioning the elected leadership in Baglung and Lamjung. In Baglung, it is alleged that MPs, in the name of consensus, appointed their own cronies as chairman and officials, while in Lamjung, the election committee allegedly announced the chairman in violation of the provisions of the statute.

In the remaining districts of Parbat and Myagdi, consensus leadership has been selected, while in Kaski, Nawalpur, Syangja, Tanahu, and Gorkha, district working committees and provincial convention representatives were selected through voting. Approximately 500 representatives are expected to participate in the provincial convention.

Four individuals appear to be competing for the upcoming leadership of Gandaki Province. Some have already announced their candidacies, while others are engaged in internal lobbying for consensus. Current chairman Rajan Gautam, General Secretary Naveen Tripathi, leader Dr. Hari Karki, and Kumar Khadka are among those presenting their claims.

However, a recent circular issued by the RSP central office may create an ethical dilemma for Gautam in contesting the election due to the provincial leadership selection process. The party's central office, in a circular sent on Jestha 21, has asked federal MPs to focus on their roles as MPs and on policy-making within the party's central structure.

 Gautam, the elected MP from Nawalpur-1 and current chairman, may fall under the purview of this circular. However, Gautam aims to be elected chairman through the convention. 'I am not a chairman elected by the convention, so I wish to be elected by the convention,' he said, ' Friends have suggested I lead for one term.'

Current General Secretary Naveen Tripathi presents himself as the strongest contender. Tripathi, who managed the party's organizational command during the elections, is considered excellent in organizational expansion. 'Given the central leadership's request for MPs to focus on the federal level, I am the natural successor to the chairmanship,' he said, 'Friends also want to see me in leadership.'

He is popular within the party due to his work, nature, and style.

Former minister Kumar Khadka, who left the Congress and joined RSP, has also staked a claim to leadership. Khadka, with his long political experience, has put forward the card of consensus. 'I am not in favor of competing myself, but if the party assigns me responsibility, I am ready,' he said.

However, party leaders and workers say that the possibility of a consensus chairman at the provincial level is slim. Khadka joined the party just before the Jestha 21 election. Dr. Hari Karki, who has been involved in alternative politics from the beginning, is also a strong contender for chairman. He has already announced his candidacy.

Karki, who joined RSP through the Lauro campaign, is currently a member of the central cooperative department.

It is said that others may also announce their candidacies by the time of the convention. In any case, RSP is currently experiencing an election fervor. After the Jestha 21 election, RSP is more enthusiastic in Gandaki. RSP won in 15 constituencies except for Manang and Mustang, while an independent candidate was victorious in Myagdi. The Congress had won in the two districts beyond the Himalayas.