KATHMANDU: Out of the 12 office bearers of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), four are women: Sumana Shrestha (Joint General Secretary), Lima Adhikari (Treasurer), Basumaya Tamang (Joint Treasurer), and Pratibha Rawal (Co-spokesperson).
The party currently does not have a female vice president, though such a post is expected to be created during the upcoming general convention.
The resignation of Sumana Shrestha, who held the significant position of Joint General Secretary, has stirred debate within and outside the party.
While some have praised her move, others have criticized it as immature or a tactic to bargain for a more influential position. Some have even labeled it as a publicity stunt. Sumana, however, insists her decision was driven by principle, citing the need for internal transparency and adherence to the party’s constitutional guideline of “one person, one post.”
In her resignation, she argued that key party roles should be assigned to other capable leaders, allowing her to focus on her responsibilities as a Member of Parliament.
She outlined three main reasons for stepping down: first, to support the idea of “one person, one post”; second, to improve the party’s delivery capacity amid growing public expectations; and third, to reform what she described as ritualistic practices within the party.
Sumana submitted her resignation on Chaitra 17, the same day party President Rabi Lamichhane resumed his leadership role.
However, the matter only came to light more than a week later, on Thursday, when it was tabled at a Central Committee meeting—shortly after Lamichhane was jailed in connection with the cooperative fraud case.
Prepared to Lead the Parliamentary Party
Sumana’s resignation was formally discussed in Thursday’s Central Committee meeting.
According to the party’s statute, a resignation must be approved by the president through the general secretary. Leaders said that Acting President Dol Prasad Aryal was expected to hold further discussions with Sumana during the meeting.
Many central committee members reportedly urged that her resignation not be accepted and encouraged her to continue in her role.
During the meeting, Sumana reiterated that she had submitted her resignation to President Lamichhane on Chaitra 17, emphasizing her commitment to the party’s core values and the belief that roles should be aligned with individual strengths and focus areas.
“My nature is to prioritize parliamentary work over party duties. I am result-oriented,” she said during the meeting.
She also indicated her willingness to take on a greater role within the parliamentary party. “If there is an open competition for the position of leader or deputy leader of the parliamentary party, I am ready,” she added.
According to meeting participants, Sumana made it clear she does not intend to run for any post in the upcoming general convention. “I am not a candidate for any position in the general convention. I want to focus on the parliamentary party,” she told Khabarhub.
She emphasized, however, that her resignation was not submitted with the intention of securing a parliamentary leadership post.
Following the suspension of Rabi Lamichhane’s MP status, Deputy Leader Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has been handling the parliamentary party’s responsibilities.
Sources say that Sumana expressed interest in the role of deputy leader after Rabi’s suspension, and internal discussions were held. However, the RSP leadership chose not to make an immediate decision, reasoning that Lamichhane still had the possibility of returning as party leader.
Sumana denies rumors of leaving the party
Sumana Shrestha has dismissed recent rumors suggesting she is leaving the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).
“It is incorrect to say that I am leaving the party,” she clarified. “I also want to inform the public that I will not be contesting for any position in the general convention scheduled for Falgun. We must shake off the label of cooperative fraud and restore public trust in this new party. I am ready to work toward that goal. The role of Joint General Secretary can be handed over to someone else—going forward, I want to serve as a central committee member and parliamentarian. I’ve conveyed this clearly to the president as well.”
Speaking to media after the central committee meeting, Sumana also refuted speculation about joining another party or forming a new political group with Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah. She described the rumors as “baseless and deliberately spread misinformation.”
Leaders react to Sumana’s resignation
Sumana’s decision to resign from the role of Joint General Secretary has come as a surprise to many within the party. Known for her academic background, she is an alumna of Budhanilkantha School and an international university, with a strong foundation in management studies.
An RSP leader told Khabarhub, “Although she did notable work during the 2072 earthquake, Sumana lacks long-term grassroots experience. As a student of management, she tends to seek quick and measurable results. She expects the party to deliver swiftly.”
The leader added, “But politics doesn’t work that way. One cannot expect immediate outcomes. Our party, unlike long-established ones, doesn’t yet have the institutional structure required for a quick transition of power—especially just two years after its founding.”
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