Three former RPP chairmen boycott central committee meeting citing internal irregularities

Kathmandu. Three former chairmen of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) have clarified that they boycotted the recently held central committee meeting in protest of internal irregularities and prejudiced action within the party.

Former chairmen Pashupati Shamsher Rana, Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani, and Kamal Thapa issued a joint statement on Thursday (Ashad 7) explaining the reason for their absence from the meeting held in Kathmandu on Ashad 5 and 6.

In the statement, they clarified that their commitment to the party remains unwavering, stating that they had to resort to symbolic protest after their efforts to bring about reforms in the narrow-mindedness, activities against the statute, and biased actions that have been observed for a long time failed. 'We were absent from the meeting as a symbolic protest for the greater good of the party, internal unity, and the preservation of democratic culture,' the statement read.

Stating that the RPP is currently at a challenging juncture from ideological, organizational, and strategic perspectives, the three former chairmen emphasized the need for an immediate, independent, impartial, and credible general convention to establish the party as a strong nationalist force. They stated that no one should be punished based on prejudice, revenge, or personal grudges in the name of discipline. Furthermore, they expressed dissatisfaction with the practice of including individuals from outside the working committee in the central committee meetings.

To end the growing atmosphere of disappointment and mistrust within the party, they suggested the formation of a high-level 'Steering Committee' under the coordination of the party chairman, which would also include former chairmen. They warned that the tendency of responsible individuals to make accusations and slander former chairmen, who have shed blood and sweat for the party's construction, is extremely sad and unacceptable.

Despite being absent from the central committee meeting, all three former chairmen welcomed the party's decision to organize the general convention from Ashad 26, 2083. They demanded that, with the date of the general convention already announced, the current central committee should automatically transform into an 'Organizing Committee for the General Convention' in accordance with the established tradition and practice of the party. They stressed the need to seriously implement the suggestions presented in the past, even in the presence of the chairman, and to make the general convention clean and result-oriented.

They claimed that they have no personal interests, lust for power, or prejudice, nor are they involved in the politics of any faction or group. 'Our only desire and concern is not to see the party weaken or fall during our lifetime,' the joint statement mentioned.

Stating that they cannot remain as silent spectators or flee, they also called upon all the leaders and cadres who have left the party to return and urged the confused cadres to prepare for the general convention with high morale. They concluded that only by presenting a clear ideological guidance and practical action plan to ensure good governance, national unity, and prosperity based on 'Hindu nation and democracy with monarchy' can the RPP regain public trust, and the upcoming general convention can achieve this.