KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah is prepared to move forward by accepting Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane as the party’s leader, according to senior party sources.
An RSP leader said Mayor Shah has agreed, for now, to recognise Lamichhane’s leadership. However, Shah has put forward a key condition: if a majority is secured in the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, 2026, he should be made Prime Minister.
Sources say Lamichhane has responded positively to the proposal, prompting second-tier leaders from both sides to begin drafting possible points of agreement.
Leaders involved in the dialogue said work is underway to prepare a framework for cooperation. While discussions are progressing, it remains unclear whether a formal agreement will be signed immediately.
Both teams are currently engaged in talks on the nature and structure of their potential collaboration. Those drafting the agreement held discussions with Lamichhane earlier, while Mayor Shah remains occupied with municipal assembly duties and has tasked his aides with preparatory work.
On behalf of the RSP, Shishir Khanal is leading the negotiations, while Kumar Byanjankar (Kumar Ben), who has been a key venue facilitator for Thursday’s discussions, is coordinating from Mayor Shah’s side. Former RSP lawmaker Ashim Shah is also playing a facilitative role, maintaining close ties with both Lamichhane and Shah.
“For now, Balen is ready to move forward by accepting Rabi as party chair. He would be positioned in the second tier,” an RSP leader said. “Talks are also ongoing with Kulman Ghising. The discussions are moving toward consensus, although the exact form of agreement is yet to be finalized.”
RSP leaders are still debating whether Shah should be brought into the party merely as a member or positioned directly as a leader. Previously, Lamichhane was reluctant to accept Shah as a prime ministerial candidate, citing complications in projecting a non-party member as a PM contender.
However, sources say Lamichhane has now become open to the idea after Shah signalled readiness to formally join the party and assume a leadership role.
According to leaders familiar with the talks, Shah has proposed contesting the election under the election symbol, the stick (lauro), if an understanding is reached. His willingness to integrate fully into the RSP has significantly increased the prospects of political cooperation between the two sides.
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