KATHMANDU: The newly elected Central Committee of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has decided to postpone appointments to the party’s Central Committee, Secretariat and office-bearer positions, leaving the task to party chair Rabi Lamichhane.
Speaking after Wednesday’s first meeting of the newly elected Central Committee, General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya said the meeting did not deliberate on nominations and that the party statute authorizes Lamichhane to complete the remaining appointments as needed.
“The party president has been given that authority. Today’s meeting focused mainly on two agendas — exchanging congratulations and making appointments to three party commissions,” Acharya said. “The statute authorizes the party president to nominate Central Committee members, office-bearers and Secretariat members. He will take the necessary decisions at the appropriate time.”
During the meeting at the party’s central office in Banasthali, Lamichhane administered the oath of office and secrecy to newly elected members and presented them with commemorative plaques featuring the party’s election symbol, a bell.
Although the party’s Central Committee consists of 99 elected members, only 97 took the oath after complaints alleging irregularities in the election process were filed with the party’s Election Commission.
The disputes concern the replacement of Som Sharma with Pooja Bastola on the list of elected Central Committee members and the substitution of Krishna Man Shrestha with Dhruva Thapa Magar in the Indigenous cluster. None of the four attended the meeting as Central Committee members or took the oath, despite being present at the party office.
Acharya said the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the party’s Election Commission, which has already been instructed to conduct an impartial investigation and issue a decision.
Lamichhane stresses unity
Addressing the newly elected committee, Lamichhane thanked party members for completing the RSP’s first general convention and emphasized that the gathering had strengthened unity within the party.
He said there was no room for factionalism or suspicion, describing the convention as a message of solidarity.
Anticipating questions about pending appointments, Lamichhane said he was carefully preparing the nominations and assured members that deserving candidates would not be overlooked.
“I am preparing the appointments in my own way. Those who deserve to be included will not be left out,” he said. “Appointments will be made with due consideration to inclusion and representation. Leaders from different communities, languages, cultures and backgrounds will be brought in. I am determined to make the Rastriya Swatantra Party a common garden for everyone. Please do not worry about the appointments. I will uphold the spirit of inclusiveness.”
According to leaders close to Lamichhane, he also apologized for organizational shortcomings and technical difficulties that prevented the party’s general convention from being completed on schedule.
Key posts remain vacant
The meeting had been expected to appoint a party spokesperson and treasurer, but both positions remain vacant.
Senior leaders said Lamichhane preferred to complete most appointments simultaneously at the next Central Committee meeting rather than filling only a few posts immediately.
Joint General Secretary Nisha Dangi said the party leadership had full confidence in Lamichhane’s authority to make the appointments.
“The statute gives the party president this authority, and we have entrusted him with it. No decision has been made yet,” she said. “As the party continues to expand, we expect him to make appointments in line with the principles of inclusion and proportional representation.”
According to party leaders, the next Central Committee meeting is expected within the next week, where Lamichhane is likely to finalize the remaining office-bearers and Central Committee nominations. Secretariat appointments, however, may continue to be made gradually as required.
Multiple groups submit nomination recommendations
Lamichhane has reportedly received recommendation lists from various groups that joined the RSP during its expansion, including leaders associated with Bibeksheel Sajha, supporters of PM Balendra Shah, Tharu representatives and Dalit groups.
Party insiders said Lamichhane has been reviewing the recommendations while consulting leaders from different factions to ensure balanced representation.
Under the party statute, the president can nominate up to 51 Central Committee members, although more than 100 names have reportedly been recommended.
The appointment of the party spokesperson is also under discussion. Central Committee members Pramod Neupane, Ganesh Parajuli and Deepak Bohara are considered the leading contenders, with Neupane and Bohara emerging as the strongest candidates, according to party sources.
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