CHITWAN: The ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is set to adopt a more inclusive leadership structure through amendments to its party statute ahead of its first national general convention.
Under the proposed amendments, women will be guaranteed representation in key leadership positions, including the post of vice president, as part of the party’s commitment to inclusiveness.
According to Ganesh Parajuli, a member of the statute amendment committee, the revised statute requires that at least one of the party’s three vice presidents be a woman.
The new leadership structure will comprise one president, three vice presidents—including one woman—two general secretaries, and five joint general secretaries, with at least one of the latter positions reserved for a woman.
Likewise, the party will nominate one treasurer, two deputy treasurers, one spokesperson, and three joint spokespersons.
The amended statute proposes expanding the central committee to 151 members. Of these, 99 members, along with the party president, will be elected, while the president will nominate 51 members through an inclusive process.
The presidents of all seven provincial committees will serve as ex-officio members of the central committee.
The revised statute also changes provisions related to appointments. Previously, the party president could nominate only the treasurer and spokesperson. Under the new arrangement, the president will also be empowered to nominate one vice president, one general secretary, and two joint general secretaries.
“The amended statute has incorporated the principle of inclusiveness,” Parajuli said. “It ensures women’s participation at all levels of the party structure.”
Under the proposed framework, each province will elect five central committee members from among the 99 directly elected representatives. Of the 35 members elected through provincial representation, at least two from each province must be women.
The statute also includes provisions to ensure representation of various communities based on provincial demographics. One Indigenous member will be mandatory from both Koshi and Gandaki provinces, while one Dalit representative will be required from Koshi and Sudurpaschim provinces.
Similarly, the statute mandates the inclusion of one Tharu representative from Lumbini Province and one Madhesi Dalit representative from Madhesh Province.
Parajuli said the amendments also strengthen the spirit of inclusion and integration by expanding the president’s authority to make inclusive nominations where necessary.
The revised statute further provides for the automatic inclusion of a senior party leader in the central committee.
The closing session of the party’s first national general convention, which was inaugurated on Sunday, is scheduled to begin today.
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