KATHMANDU: Twenty days after the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) concluded its first general convention, party chair Rabi Lamichhane has yet to complete the remaining organisational appointments, with internal power balancing and leadership management delaying the process.
Although Lamichhane had planned to finalise the party’s Secretariat, office bearers and nominated Central Committee members within the Nepali month of Asar, no formal decisions have been made so far.
According to party leaders, the delay stems from the need to accommodate leaders from multiple factions that have joined the party over the past year while also ensuring representation across various groups. Questions surrounding the dual responsibilities of leaders serving in government have further complicated the appointment process.
Co-General Secretary Nisha Dangi said preparations are underway to complete the remaining organisational work.
“Party chair Lamichhane has been working to finalise the remaining tasks. However, recent national developments and public movements demanded the party’s immediate attention, which delayed the process,” Dangi told Khabarhub. “The intention was to complete the appointments within Asar, but some organisational issues remain.”
Lamichhane, Balen discuss party restructuring
Last Sunday, Lamichhane held discussions with Prime Minister Balendra Shah on expanding the Central Committee, Secretariat and office bearers.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Lamichhane confirmed that the meeting covered both government affairs and pending organisational matters.
“We discussed the country’s current situation, issues relating to landless settlements and the organisational work that remains within the party,” he said. “There was also extensive discussion about the government’s functioning.”
Sources said Shah advised Lamichhane to proceed with appointments in a way that avoids fresh internal disputes and reflects the spirit of party unity.
During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed transforming the party’s first general convention into a broader “unity convention” by accommodating leaders from different political backgrounds.
Central Committee expansion comes first
Under the party statute, leaders must first become Central Committee members before being appointed to the Secretariat or other senior positions. As a result, Lamichhane is expected to expand the Central Committee before announcing the Secretariat and office bearers.
Party sources said lists of recommended nominees have already been submitted by various groups, including leaders aligned with Prime Minister Shah, former Bibeksheel Sajha members and representatives from different communities.
However, the number of aspirants significantly exceeds the available positions.
The party statute authorises the chair to nominate up to 51 additional Central Committee members, but Lamichhane reportedly has recommendations for more than 100 individuals seeking adjustment.
Following the expansion, he is expected to appoint around 10 office bearers and more than 18 Secretariat members.
Chair holds exclusive nomination authority
The RSP statute grants Lamichhane exclusive authority to nominate Central Committee members, Secretariat members and office bearers.
Party leader Leema Adhikari said the chair is legally empowered to make the appointments without convening a Central Committee meeting.
“The statute clearly gives the party chair the authority to make these nominations. He may inform the Central Committee afterwards if necessary,” she said.
General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya also acknowledged that the party statute provides the chair with discretion over the nomination process, although consultations with senior leaders remain an option.
The newly elected 97-member Central Committee has met only once since members took their oath on Asar 18. No Secretariat meeting has taken place because the office bearers have yet to be appointed.
Government responsibilities add to delay
Party insiders say organisational work slowed considerably after criticism mounted against the government led by Prime Minister Shah.
The government faced growing pressure over its handling of landless settlement issues and public grievances, prompting the party leadership to prioritise governance over internal restructuring.
A senior party office bearer said efforts are now focused on ensuring that all factions feel represented before appointments are announced.
“If appointments are rushed, the message of unity could be lost. The leadership wants to accommodate as many groups as possible before finalising the structure,” the leader said, expressing confidence that the Central Committee expansion and Secretariat formation would be completed in the first week of Shrawan.
Absence of spokesperson affects party communication
The delay has also left the party without an official spokesperson nearly three weeks after the general convention.
Former spokesperson Manish Jha announced that his tenure ended immediately after the convention results were declared.
General Secretary Acharya said his parliamentary and organisational responsibilities have limited his availability for media engagement, while other senior leaders are occupied with ministerial and government duties.
As a result, party communication has largely been handled by individual leaders rather than through an official spokesperson.
The party is also yet to appoint a treasurer, although former treasurer Leema Adhikari continues to oversee financial responsibilities until a successor is named.
Balen yet to receive formal party status
Despite serving as Prime Minister, Balendra Shah has not yet been formally recognised as an RSP Central Committee member.
Under the party statute, Lamichhane must first nominate Shah to the Central Committee before formally recognising him as the party’s senior leader.
Although Shah joined the RSP as a senior leader in Poush 2082, he neither contested nor voted in the party’s first general convention. His formal status within the party hierarchy will only be established after the nomination process is completed.
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