KATHMANDU: If the dismal showing in the local-level by-elections is any indicator, the popularity of Rajendra Lingden, Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), is on a sharp decline.
The fact that Lingden completely misread the voters has raised serious doubts about his leadership acumen, party insiders argue.
On December 1, the day the country went to vote, Lingden addressed a party function in Jhapa and claimed that his party would become the largest party after the 2027 general election.
He also highlighted the possibility of the RPP leading the government prior to the upcoming polls.
However, contrary to Lingden’s bold claim, the RPP failed to win even a single contested seat in the by-election.
Eight days after the polls, the party has yet to meet officially to assess the by-elections. This is another indicator that things are not going well for the RPP, the fifth-largest party in the federal parliament.
The party’s performance was particularly poor in his hometown, Jhapa. In the election for chair of Ward 6 in Kankai Municipality, the party secured only 26 votes, indicating that even legitimate party members declined to vote for it.
In eight other posts, the RPP secured fewer than ten votes.
“This proves that Lingden is completely out of touch with the voters, their mood, and their aspirations,” a RPP leader told Khabarhub insisting anonymity.
“It is indeed peculiar and rather embarrassing for a leader of his stature to be caught off guard by the people’s verdict,” the leader said.
Further, as observers note, Lingden has undermined democratic culture by failing to take responsibility for the election defeat. So far, there has been no official statement from the RPP regarding the by-elections.
Amid growing disenchantment within the RPP, some leaders are calling for him to take responsibility and step down.
“Under Lingden, things are going from bad to worse for the RPP. His immature leadership and one-man show are costing the party dearly. For the good of the party, Lingden should make way and resign,” said another leader, speaking anonymously.
The by-elections were held for 41 vacant local-level positions across 32 districts. RPP candidates lost their security deposits in all but one of the positions for which the party fielded candidates.
Eight days after the polls, the party has yet to meet officially to assess the by-elections. This is another indicator that things are not going well for the RPP, the fifth-largest party in the federal parliament.
After the by-election failure, senior RPP leader Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani proposed an independent political audit of the RPP.
Based on the report submitted by external professionals, the party can review and address its shortcomings, he said in an interview with national television.
Lohani acknowledged that leaders, including himself, were responsible for the dismal showing.
However, he quickly added that the extent of responsibility depends on the position held, implying that party president Lingden bears the greatest burden for the election defeat.
“We are all concerned about the poor by-election results. It is clear that the party needs to scrutinize its election strategy, mobilization, messaging, and other factors,” said Sagun Sunder Lawoti, spokesperson for the RPP.
During the by-election campaign, Lingden projected the RPP as an alternative to the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and the Maoists.
However, in practice, Lingden has regularly allied with the larger parties for government seats and election contests.
The RPP Chair, while swearing by his mother’s blood against corruption, seldom matches his rhetoric with substantial actions and activities.
These contradictions have reflected poorly on Lingden, especially given the RPP’s declining popularity, according to the leader.
The by-elections were held for 41 vacant local-level positions across 32 districts. RPP candidates lost their security deposits in all but one of the positions for which the party fielded candidates.
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