KATHMANDU: Rupandehi-3 by-election candidate Dr. Lekh Jung Thapa of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has been asked by party secretariat and central committee members to provide official proof of divorce from one of his wives.
Sources within the party indicate that failure to submit the required document could lead to the revocation of his nomination for the November 3 by-election.
Senior RSP leaders reportedly visited party Chair Rabi Lamichhane at Nakkhu Jail on Monday to discuss the matter and decide on the next steps. Thapa has assured party officials that the divorce document exists and is prepared to present it to the party.
Thapa, however, assured party leaders that he possesses the divorce document and is prepared to present it. “I am not weak in any way. All procedures have been completed, and the divorce is legally valid,” he reportedly told party officials over the phone.
According to the RSP secretariat, Thapa admitted to having a polygamous relationship but clarified that he had legally ended his first marriage before entering the second. Party leaders are currently deliberating on options should he fail to submit the required document by the deadline, which sources say is Tuesday.
The RSP secretariat meeting on Sunday at the Bansthali party office reviewed the results of multiple selection stages for nine aspirants, including field reporting, leadership academy evaluations, and interviews. Thapa was chosen based on this process. Party sources say personal issues of candidates were not discussed during the meeting.
Some central committee members, however, noted that Deputy General Secretary Bipin Acharya was well-informed about Thapa’s personal situation but did not consider it serious. Certain central members have requested a thorough review of the candidate selection process.
Thapa reportedly told party leaders that he previously served as deputy chair of the Rupandehi Civic Forum and was on the closed list in the 2022 elections, from which he was removed three months ago. Addressing questions about leaving that position, he said, “There were too many family conflicts, and the party procedures were not followed properly, so I had to step down.”
Despite the controversy, Thapa remains confident about his electoral prospects. “Once I get the chance, I will win. I won’t lose,” he told RSP leaders, claiming that 80 percent of Rupandehi-3 voters would support him based on ground surveys.
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