CHITWAN: A high-level meeting between two top leaders of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has been ongoing for more than five hours without conclusion, delaying the party’s closed-door session scheduled to begin at 8 am.
Due to the prolonged discussions, the closed session of the party’s first general convention has not yet started, while delegates have been urging the leadership to proceed with the agenda without further delay.
Party insiders said the two leaders are trying to finalise key issues, including the allocation of provincial representation and resolution of internal disputes ahead of the closed session.
According to the secretariat, discussions are also focused on finalising the political document to be presented by party chair Rabi Lamichhane during the session. Senior leader and Prime Minister Balendra Shah has also been actively engaged in consultations regarding the report.
The leaders are currently holding discussions at Latauli Sanctuary Resort, with no other senior leaders initially included in the meeting. However, Vice Chair Swarnim Wagle and a few other secretariat members were present during earlier rounds of talks.
The political document to be presented by Lamichhane is expected to outline the party’s positions on governance, foreign relations, and economic policy, with Shah reportedly suggesting additional inclusions to ensure broader consensus.
Along with the political report, the leaders are also deliberating on key organisational issues, including the nomination of office bearers and whether to proceed with consensus-based selection or elections.
“The leaders are engaged in finalising the convention agenda. Discussions are ongoing on who should be assigned to which positions in the central committee and secretariat,” a secretariat member said. “If consensus is reached, it will be presented in the closed session. Otherwise, elections will be held.”
According to sources, around 99 central committee members will be elected, while nearly 4,500 aspirants are competing for party positions.
The disciplinary commission report, prepared by Ramakant Rimal, is also being finalised after consultations between the two leaders. The report is expected to be presented in the closed session.
Similarly, amendments to the party statute have also been prepared by a task force led by Co-General Secretary Bipin Acharya and are set to be endorsed by the convention.
Delegates at the convention venue have expressed concern over the delay, urging the leadership to begin the session promptly.
Party leaders, however, said efforts are being made to ensure unity within the party by avoiding factional divisions after the convention.
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