KATHMANDU: Twenty-five days after the first general convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), party Chair Rabi Lamichhane has yet to finalize the remaining office-bearers, central committee members and secretariat members.
The party’s first general convention was held in Chitwan from June 21 to 26. However, even after more than three weeks, Lamichhane has not been able to complete appointments to key party positions.
According to the RSP statute, the chairperson has the authority to finalize 51 central committee members, 10 office-bearers and more than 18 secretariat members. The chairperson also has the authority to appoint officials including the spokesperson, general secretary, vice-chairpersons and treasurer.
However, Lamichhane has not yet appointed anyone to these positions.
A discussion was held last Tuesday between Lamichhane and senior leader Balendra Shah regarding the selection of office-bearers, secretariat members and central committee members, but the meeting failed to reach a conclusion.
Party leaders say Lamichhane has been continuing internal consultations as the statute has given him the authority to make the appointments.
“We have completed one round of discussions with everyone, so he may be working on the final preparations. He is trying to finalize the names soon,” said party leader Samikshya Baskota. “Since the statute gives authority to the chairperson, we understand that he is working on it. It should have been finalized earlier, but there has been some delay due to technical issues and efforts to send a message of consensus.”
Pressure to ensure wider representation
Differences have emerged within the party over the appointment process, with some leaders arguing that individuals should not be given multiple responsibilities.
Party leaders have stressed the need to include representatives from different groups and have opposed bringing ministers into key party positions.
Lamichhane is reportedly under pressure to include representatives from groups associated with Prime Minister Balendra Shah, the Bibeksheel Sajha background, Tharu communities and Dalit communities.
He has also been attempting to accommodate leaders from the party’s founding group.
General Secretary Bipin Acharya said the chairperson is carrying out the necessary preparations as those selected for office-bearer and secretariat positions must first be appointed as central committee members.
Lamichhane has not been able to complete the process due to the need to include leaders from different clusters and those who joined the party through adjustment processes.
Except for a congratulatory programme, the party’s central committee has not held a meeting since the convention concluded.
Party leaders say that although the central committee has not met, the chairperson has the authority to make appointments, which can later be endorsed by the central committee.
Elected co-general secretary Hari Dhakal also said the chairperson has been granted full authority and that the central committee can formally approve the appointments later.
However, Lamichhane has been unable to expand the 51-member central committee due to difficulties in reaching an agreement with newly joined groups, including those associated with Balendra Shah.
The appointment of office-bearers and secretariat members has also remained pending, with Lamichhane continuing consultations with close aides and leaders who joined through the party’s adjustment process to reach a consensus.
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