Rastriya Swatantra Party Holds First General Convention, Discusses New Leadership
Chitwan. Discussions about new leadership have started among the general convention representatives after the inaugural session of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) concluded in Bharatpur. Although the second day of the convention was scheduled to start the election process by passing various political, organizational, and statute-related proposals in the closed session, the delay in starting the closed session has prevented various reports and proposals from being presented in the hall.
Leaders have stated that the closed session could not start on time due to the time taken to correct errors in the convention representative cards and disputes over representatives from the Madhes Province. With the delay in the start of the closed session, some representatives and leaders at the convention venue have been seen busy informally seeking votes for central committee members and office bearers. Elections will be held for 99 central committee members out of a 151-member central committee, including 19 office bearers.
While Rabi Lamichhane and Balendra (Balen) Shah are set to be unopposed for the positions of Chairman and Senior Leader respectively, elections will be held for other positions. It is still unclear which positions will go to elections as there are many aspirants for the limited positions of office bearers and central committee members. However, top leaders are reportedly trying to select the central committee through consensus. But, no information has been provided about their efforts. The RSP leadership has prioritized selecting leadership through consensus, keeping in mind the party's unity, and efforts for consensus are reportedly underway.
RSP, which has become a large party after the inclusion of groups like Bibeksheel Sajha, Balen Group, Tharuwan/Tharuhat Group, and Genji Group, needs to manage the groups that joined the unification process. Therefore, Chairman Lamichhane and another leader, Shah, are focused on selecting leadership through consensus as much as possible.
In the secretariat meeting held on Thursday before the general convention, Chairman Rabi Lamichhane also emphasized the need to select leadership through consensus as there is still a lot of work to be done. Secretariat member Ganesh Parajuli stated after the meeting that the responsibility of selecting leadership through consensus, bringing all sides together, has been given to Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and Senior Leader and Prime Minister Balendra (Balen) Shah. Accordingly, it is understood that discussions for consensus were held between Chairman Lamichhane and Senior Leader Shah, who is also the Prime Minister, after the general convention's inaugural session on Sunday.
RSP has a provision for a 19-member executive body: 1 Chairman, 1 Senior Leader, 3 Vice-Chairmen, 2 General Secretaries, 5 Joint General Secretaries, 1 Spokesperson, 3 Deputy Spokespersons, and 1 Treasurer and 1 Deputy Treasurer each. The secretariat will have 33 members.
The statute has a provision for the Chairman to nominate 51 people. 100 people will come to the central committee through elections.
Out of 100 people, 64 will be elected, and 35 of them will come from the provinces.
According to RSP sources, if consensus is not reached, about a dozen leaders are preparing to compete in the election for the two general secretary positions, having expressed aspirations for the post. Among them, current General Secretariesכבinder Burlakoti and Bhupdev Shah, along with Manish Jha, Shishir Khanal, Bipin Acharya, Ganesh Parajuli, Yagyamani Neupane, and Lima Adhikari, have shown aspirations for the general secretary position.
Lima Adhikari is reportedly determined not to give up the general secretary position if she does not become Vice-Chairman. This makes it difficult for Rabi and Balen to manage the leaders even if they proceed with consensus.
This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
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