KATHMANDU: The process of government formation is likely to be delayed after several leaders of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), including Chairman Rabi Lamichhane, General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti, and Spokesperson Manish Jha, fell ill, affecting the party’s work schedule.
The government formation process has been postponed by about a week after the party’s schedule was disrupted. Party leader Manish Jha had earlier said the process would begin in the second week of March. However, due to the illness of key leaders, the process is now unlikely to begin within that timeframe.
Dialogue among party leaders has not been possible after top leaders, including Lamichhane, fell ill. Rabi recovered and was discharged from hospital only on Monday. As a result, the necessary amendments to the party statute could not be made, making it unlikely for the government to be formed before March 24.
General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti is also resting at home due to ill health. Party spokesperson Jha said that since Rabi Lamichhane has been advised to rest for a few more days after hospitalization, it is not possible to hold a central committee meeting immediately.
The party Chair is said to have suffered from seasonal fever and a deep infection in a leg wound. According to party sources, he was treated with injections after antibiotics proved ineffective.
“RSP Chair Lamichhane is scheduled to address the closing ceremony of the MPs’ training on Tuesday and Wednesday. He will rest at home for a few days after being admitted to Teaching Hospital,” a party leader said. “The government formation process is unlikely to move forward this week. Senior leaders have only recently recovered from illness, and no further discussions or dialogues have taken place.”
Balendra (Balen) Shah is also recovering after being unwell for several days. Several members of his secretariat are also resting at home due to illness. Balen, however, is continuing preparations related to government formation.
Government formation likely by March end
The Election Commission had asked political parties to submit the names of proportional representation candidates by Sunday. All parties have already submitted their lists, and the commission on Monday published the names of 110 elected candidates.
The Commission has placed on its agenda the distribution of certificates to MPs elected under the proportional representation system. After that, it will submit its report to the President’s Office, following which the process of forming a new government is expected to move forward.
A senior official of the commission said the new government is likely to be formed in the last week of March.
“The commission may move into the second week as it completes all its work. If everything proceeds smoothly, the country will get a new prime minister in the fourth week of March,” the official said. “We are carrying out our responsibilities and expect to complete the work by the 7th.”
Central committee meeting unlikely before Friday
According to party spokesperson Jha, there is little possibility of holding the party’s central committee meeting before Friday. Doctors have advised the ailing leaders to rest for several days.
The party may call a central committee meeting on Saturday if the health of leaders, including the president, improves.
“We cannot say for certain now. We are trying to hold the central committee meeting on Saturday, but the health condition of the leaders has created complications,” said a party leader.
“The party has not been able to complete much internal preparation. Decisions on who should take which responsibility require internal discussions, but key leaders are currently unavailable. Everyone needs rest as advised by doctors.”
Given the situation, the party’s central committee meeting is expected to amend the statute to select the leader of the parliamentary party. The government formation process will move forward after the statute is amended to appoint senior party leader Balen Shah as the parliamentary party leader.
“The names of the proportional representation winners have already been announced. The necessary process will move forward once the commission distributes certificates to those candidates,” said Jha. “The commission is working according to its schedule. We have not been able to hold further discussions due to the illness of our leaders.”
The RSP will need to hold a central committee meeting and amend the statute before moving forward with the government formation process. After the amendment is passed, Balen Shah will be elevated as prime minister, according to party Vice Chair Dol Prasad Aryal.
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