KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader Tosima Karki has expressed dissatisfaction over the party’s closed list of proportional representation (PR) candidates for the upcoming House of Representatives election.
Taking to social media on Tuesday, Karki criticized the PR list selected by the party, alleging that it failed to provide space for candidates from impoverished and marginalized communities.
Stating that the very concept of proportional representation is meant to ensure inclusion of people from geographically remote areas and capable individuals without access or power, Karki said it was inappropriate for relatives of party leaders and those holding vital posts within the party to dominate the PR list.
“The list should also give space to the poor. It should speak for Karnali. It should speak for Sudurpaschim. It should speak for the villages,” she wrote. “But when relatives of party leaders and those occupying vital positions aspire for and secure space in the proportional list, it raises serious questions about the very rationale of the proportional system.”
Karki further stated that party office-bearers and secretariat members should not be included in the PR list, arguing that they are always in a position of benefit, whether during primary voting or evaluation processes.
She remarked that holding party positions while simultaneously securing top priority in the PR list, disregarding even the spirit of primary voting, was a practice no different from that of traditional political parties.
Questioning the reluctance of party leaders to contest direct elections, Karki said those holding vital positions should have the courage to face voters directly instead of relying on the proportional system.
“The party has grown so large now, why are leaders afraid? Why do they feel so insecure?” she wrote. “If secretariat members and office-bearers themselves are afraid to contest elections, what will others do?”
Karki concluded that if RSP truly aims to set an example in leadership, all office-bearers and secretariat members should withdraw their names from the proportional list and contest direct elections. She also stressed that nepotism and favoritism must be completely prohibited in the proportional representation list.
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