Rastriya Swatantra Party Fails to Finalize Leadership Ten Days After National Convention

Kathmandu. Ten days have passed since the first national convention of the ruling party Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) was held. However, the leadership and central committee have not yet been finalized. In the convention held in Chitwan from Asar 7 to 12, 99 central members and 7 office bearers were elected. According to the RSP's amended statute, there is a provision for a 158-member central committee including 18 office bearers. Rabi Lamichhane has been elected as the party president. Among the three vice-presidents, Dr. Swarnim Wagle has been elected from the male category and Sobita Gautam from the female category.

Bipin Kumar Acharya has been elected as one of the two general secretaries. Among the five joint general secretaries, Asim Shah and Hari Dhakal have been elected from the male category. Nisha Dangi has been elected as one female joint general secretary. The party president Rabi Lamichhane has the authority to nominate the remaining office bearers and 51 central members. The newly elected office bearers and central members were sworn in by Rabi on Asar 17. Immediately after the swearing-in ceremony, at a central committee meeting held at the central office in Banesthali, the president did not present the proposal for nominated members.

General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya informed that discussions are underway regarding the office bearers and central members to be nominated by the president as per the statute. Acharya asserts that the president is doing homework keeping in mind inclusivity, geography, and the spirit of party unity as per the statute. 'The elected central members have just taken the oath. As per the party's statute, the president has the authority to nominate 51 central members,' he told Ratopati. 'The authority to nominate is given to the president to include all sides in accordance with inclusivity, geography, and the spirit of unity. Accordingly, he (Rabi) is doing homework. He will inform the central committee as soon as possible.'

According to Acharya, there is a mandatory provision in the statute that four of the remaining 11 office bearers must be women and the rest must be nominated from outside the Khas Arya community. Among the 7 elected office bearers, all except Asim are from the Khas Arya community. As per the statute, the central committee must have representation of 33 percent women, 30.28 percent Khas Arya, 28.72 percent indigenous peoples, 16.15 percent Madhesi, 13.44 percent Dalit, 6.52 percent Tharu, and 4.89 percent Muslim. However, most of the elected members are from the Khas Arya cluster.

According to sources, there is no agreement between President Rabi and the senior leader Balen Shah group on nominating 50/50 percent. Discussions are underway where Rabi will keep 60 percent to manage clusters including indigenous peoples, Tharus, Muslims, Madhesis, and give the remaining to the Balen group. 'The president has the challenge of accommodating all sides. Discussions are ongoing between Rabi and Balen to nominate on a 60/40 basis by Sunday. The party has given Rabi the authority to nominate 51 central members. He will nominate members from all communities including indigenous peoples, women, Muslims, Tharus, and Madhesis. Even if not nominated once, it can happen as needed,' said the source.

According to the previous understanding, Balen, who is the Prime Minister, is unanimously agreed upon as a senior leader. Sunil Lamshal from the Balen group is being discussed for the vice-president position. He is currently the Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. Bhupdev Shah is being discussed for the general secretary position. However, it is understood that Home Minister Sudhan Gurung and Prime Minister Balen's advisor on Policy, Administration, and Good Governance have also shown aspirations.

Pramod Neupane has a strong possibility for the spokesperson position. Sources said that former General Secretary Kabindra Burlaoti and former Spokesperson Manish Jha have not shown interest. 'It has not been decided who from the Balen group will be an office bearer. There is no information that Bhupdev is backing out from the general secretary position. It is almost certain that the vice-president and general secretary positions will be held by the Balen faction. Pramod has a possibility for the spokesperson. Since Kabindra has already been a general secretary, he is not interested in becoming a spokesperson. Manish has already stated that he will not be the spokesperson,' said the source.

It is understood that Laxman Tharu has a possibility for the joint general secretary position to ensure representation from the Tharu community. Regarding the treasurer position, former treasurer Lima Adhikari had not shown interest in repeating. Adhikari had contested and withdrawn her candidacy for joint general secretary. Rabi has proposed Adhikari for the treasurer position. Basumaya Tamang has a strong possibility of repeating as joint treasurer, representing women and indigenous communities. Similarly, the positions of three joint spokespersons and one joint treasurer have also not been finalized.

During the party unification, RSP had adjusted the Balen group, Bibeksheel Sajha group, Genji group, Tharuhat/Tharuwan group, and Dalit group. Since Samiksha Baskota, who contested for vice-president from the Bibeksheel Sajha group, and Ranju Darshana, who contested for general secretary, withdrew their candidacies, their management needs to be addressed.