KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Swatantra Party is preparing to endorse a new party statute ahead of its first national convention in Chitwan, with proposals including an expanded Central Committee, additional leadership positions, and clearer ideological guidelines.
Discussions are currently underway at the party’s Secretariat meeting, where leaders are reviewing the draft statute before forwarding it to the Central Committee for approval.
According to party sources, the proposed statute would increase the number of Central Committee members from 129 to 136. The amendment draft was prepared by a team led by senior party figures including Bipin Acharya, Pradip Chandra Parajuli and Chanda Karki.
The draft also proposes restructuring the party leadership. Under the new arrangement, the party would have one chairperson, three vice-chairpersons, two general secretaries, four co-general secretaries, one spokesperson, three deputy spokespersons, one treasurer and one deputy treasurer.
A female vice-chairperson and one female deputy spokesperson would be mandatory positions, while the two general secretary posts would remain open for competition.
The proposal comes amid expectations that Prime Minister Balen Shah will formally join the party, prompting discussions on expanding senior leadership positions.
Election process and leadership structure
The new statute proposes electing the party chairperson and Central Committee members first. The newly elected Central Committee would then choose members of the Secretariat.
Party leaders are also discussing whether the chairperson should retain the authority to nominate certain office-bearers, including the treasurer and deputy treasurer. Some leaders have argued for limiting the number of appointments made directly by the party chief.
The statute is also expected to introduce the post of senior leader, although discussions on the role are still ongoing.
Party sources say the number of office-bearers will be capped at 16.
Emphasis on consensus
Leaders have indicated a preference for consensus-based leadership selection wherever possible.
Party chairperson Rabi Lamichhane and Vice-Chairperson Swarnim Wagle have reportedly advocated allowing all eligible candidates to contest Central Committee elections while seeking consensus in the selection of Secretariat members.
The party expects around 2,500 convention delegates to participate in the gathering, with an estimated 400 to 500 candidates likely to contest for Central Committee positions.
Clearer ideological direction
The convention is also expected to define the party’s political philosophy more explicitly.
According to leaders involved in drafting the statute, the party will formally embrace a multiparty democratic republic, emphasizing individual freedoms, fundamental rights, accountable governance, social justice, and a competitive social market economy.
The draft also includes commitments to national sovereignty, territorial integrity, human rights, inclusive democracy, and balanced foreign relations.
On cultural and religious issues, the party is expected to endorse the preservation of Nepal’s Sanatan civilization while promoting religious and cultural coexistence and mutual respect.
Anti-nepotism provisions
The proposed statute includes provisions aimed at preventing nepotism within the party.
Under the draft, close family members of individuals holding key party positions or public appointments would be barred from receiving nominations or appointments to influential party roles or benefit-based positions.
The party also plans to continue its online membership system and expand membership access to Nepalis living abroad.
In addition, the statute proposes maintaining a streamlined organizational structure at local and ward levels and reaffirming the party’s policy of not forming affiliated wings such as student or employee organizations.
The first national convention, scheduled to begin in Chitwan in three days, is expected to formally endorse the revised statute and set the party’s organizational and ideological direction for the coming years.
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