Rastriya Swatantra Party Madhesh Province Convention Postponed

Kathmandu. The Madhesh Province convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) will not be held before the national convention. The Election Commission has stated that the convention, which was postponed due to pressure from elected MPs and ethnic narrowness, is unlikely to be held before the national convention.

The Election Commission, issuing a notice on Jestha 26, informed that all activities of the Madhesh convention have been postponed as necessary to ensure the fair, transparent, reliable, and lawful operation of the convention.

Commission chief Bhuvan KC said that due to the approaching date of the national convention, there is no possibility of the Madhesh convention being held immediately.

'It is not possible to hold the Madhesh Province convention before the national convention. We also do not have time. It is not that easy to work in Madhesh according to rules, procedures, and systems. It is difficult to conduct the convention peacefully and safely. It would be more appropriate to hold the convention after the national convention by forming a special committee,' KC told Ratopati.

Due to disputes and clashes between two factions in the Madhesh Province, the conventions in 7 districts other than Parsa were also postponed. However, Provincial General Secretary Manishkumar Sah said that efforts are being made with the party leadership and the Election Commission to complete the convention before the national convention.

Sah said, 'We are ready to correct the errors seen in issues like membership renewal and leadership disputes. However, discussions are ongoing with the commission officials and party leadership to hold the convention before the national convention. However, no decision has been made by the commission so far.'

He argued that it is natural for there to be interference as the elected MPs have played an important role in building the party since its inception. District-level leaders have accused leaders such as party central spokesperson Manish Jha, provincial president Tapeshwor Yadav, and proportional representative MP Purushottam Yadav of causing the postponement of the convention due to their self-interest.

Amidst the disputes, new leadership has been elected in Bagmati Province, Koshi Province, and Gandaki Province. In Lumbini Province, leadership was selected unanimously as no one secured a majority (50 plus 1) vote in the first round.

The convention in Karnali Province is scheduled for Sunday and in Sudurpaschim Province for tomorrow (Monday). RSP has already decided to hold its first national convention in Chitwan on Asar 7, 8, and 9, marking its four-year anniversary.

According to the Election Commission, 2500 to 3000 convention representatives will participate in the national convention. The commission stated that the party membership, which was around three lakh in the February elections, has reached around six lakh by the end of Jestha.