Rastriya Swatantra Party MPs Vie for Provincial Chairman Posts Amidst Internal Discontent

Kathmandu. Members of Parliament elected for provincial chairman posts are lobbying, contrary to the circular of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) central office. The schedule for the first provincial convention of RSP has already been made public from Jestha 26 to Ashar 1. On Jestha 22, RSP center had issued a circular stating that federal MPs would not be eligible to run for positions in committees below the central level.

The circular stated, 'Federal MPs will not be eligible to run for positions in the municipal/area/district/provincial levels except for the central level of the party.' However, with elected MPs themselves entering the electoral competition, disregarding the party's circular, leaders who have worked in the field since the party's inception are in a difficult situation.

Not only have they entered the electoral competition, but they have also begun to increase their interference in districts and municipalities to bring in individuals favorable to them, leading district-level leaders to express dissatisfaction. Due to district leaders, the district and provincial conventions have been affected. The election process in Bagmati Province, Koshi Province, and Madhesh Province has been obstructed due to the scramble for the chairmanship.

However, Bodhnarayan Shrestha, deputy chief of the organization department, stated that the issue of MPs not being eligible to run for positions in lower committees is a matter of ethics rather than a binding rule.

'MPs have a separate role. The party has not imposed a ban on running for positions in lower committees but has spoken about ethics. The intention is that they should not run for positions. Since it is not binding, MPs may have run for positions,' Shrestha said.

The provincial convention of Bagmati Province was inaugurated on Jestha 26 in Hetauda, the capital of Bagmati Province. However, a new working committee has not been elected even after three days. For the post of chairman, current chairman and MP elected from Nuwakot 2, Dr. Abyutham Lamichhane, Badan Bhandari elected from Kavre 2, former spokesperson Utsav Aryal, Hari Bahadur Khatri, and Krishna Man Shrestha had filed their candidacies. After Bhandari withdrew his candidacy, four individuals are in the competition.

In Madhesh Province, current chairman Tapeshwor Yadav and five to seven other individuals are aspiring for the chairmanship. Yadav is an MP elected from Siraha 4. General Secretary Manish Sah has also expressed aspirations for the chairmanship. With factional groups for every leader, the most significant dispute is seen in Madhesh Province. Due to the dispute, the convention that was supposed to be held today has been postponed indefinitely. According to sources, MP Shiv Yadav elected from Siraha 2, proportional representative MP Khagendra Karna, Barun Jha, and others are aspiring for the chairmanship.

In Gandaki Province, MP Rajan Gautam elected from Nawalpur 1 is an aspirant. In addition to Gautam, General Secretary Nabin Tripathi, leader Dr. Hari Karki, and Kumar Khadka among others have staked their claims. The convention in Gandaki is scheduled to begin tomorrow. Similarly, conventions will be held in Lumbini Province on the 30th, Karnali on the 31st, and Sudurpashchim on Ashar 1.